EuroParlRadio

Valentia Island hydrogen trailblazer

A hydrogen-making project on Valentia Island in County Kerry could be a model for future energy needs, that’s according to Sean Kelly. The European Parliament produced a resolution this week supportive of new hydrogen technology. Hydrogen gas could be used in future to power businesses and heat homes. There’s excitement about the technology because it doesn’t produce any greenhouses gases when it is burnt. But to make hydrogen requires a lot of energy. Blue hydrogen is made by processing fossil fuel natural gas. This is what the Valentia Island Energy Co-operative aims to do. Hydrogen can also be made with renewable power, but Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly says that’s not realistic when the wind doesn’t blow. Instead, he believes projects like the one on Valentia hold the key.

 

Out words: Rolled out elsewhere

Dur: 0’22”

Ireland has failed GDPR and should face legal action – EU resolution

Ireland has failed to enforce European data protection rules and should be taken to court – that’s according to a resolution currently before the European Parliament. MEPs are worried that our data, on platforms like Facebook, ends up in the US without sufficient protection. A resolution in the European Parliament criticises the Irish Data Protection Commissioner for acting too slowly and takes the view that Ireland has been “insufficient” in enforcing GDPR. The resolution will be put to the vote tomorrow. Dublin MEP, Clare Daly, says it is outrageous to blame Ireland and our data protection agency. She says the real fault lies with a system.

Out words: Data Protection Commissioner

Dur: 0’29”

Clune against vaccine patent waiver

Patent waivers will not lead to more vaccines for the world - that's the view of Deirdre Clune. The European Parliament has been debating the issue this morning. The new US President, Joe Biden, has signalled his support for vaccine manufacturers to give up their intellectual property rights on vaccines. Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune, says there are more effective ways we can help speed up global vaccination.

Vaccine patent waiver “well worth doing”– Cuffe

A time-limited waiver of intellectual property rights for Covid 19 vaccines will help to stop the spread of the deadly virus in poorer countries.

So says Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

In a debate in the European Parliament this morning, some MEPs said a waiver will be essential to ensure a rollout of the vaccine in low-income countries. However other MEPs argue a lifting of patent rights won’t speed things up and will only harm innovation.

Ciarán Cuffe says a temporary waiver of patent rights is the right thing to do.

Out words: vaccine rights

Dur: 00:21

European Parliament split over waiver of Covid vaccine patents – Cuffe

MEPs in the European Parliament have failed to reach a consensus on a temporary waiver of patent rights for Covid 19 vaccines.

In a debate this morning, some MEPs said a waiver will be essential to ensure a rollout of the vaccine in poorer countries. However other MEPs argue a lifting of patent rights wouldn’t speed things up and would only harm innovation.

Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe is in favour of waiving the vaccine intellectual property rights.  

Out words: months ahead

Dur: 00:27

Scale of civilian deaths to force Israel change – O’Sullivan

The tragic deaths of civilians in Palestine could be the trigger for change, says Grace O’Sullivan. The pictures coming out of Israel and Palestine in recent days have shocked the world. MEPs have called an immediate end to violence and ceasefire in a debate in the European Parliament. Ireland South MEP, Grace O’Sullivan has been appalled by the violence. She hopes we are reaching the point when it will end. And she wants the international community to do all it can to make it stop.

Out words: Just not right

Dur: 0’24”

Ireland must fight for Brexit cash - Kelleher

Ireland must push back against attempts by other countries to grab bigger shares of Brexit funding, says Billy Kelleher. In the wake of the UK leaving, the European Union set up the so-called Brexit Adjustment Reserve with €5 billion available to mitigate some of the economic damage. Ireland was expected to get by far the largest share, but other countries have been arguing for what they see as a fairer way of calculating who gets what. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, though, is adamant that Ireland deserves priority.

Out words: Defend Ireland’s position

Dur: 0’24”

EU votes €20m emergency cash for Ireland

The European Parliament has voted through more than €20 million in emergency funding for Ireland. The European Union Solidarity Fund was set up to respond to large-scale natural disasters like flooding and earthquakes, but in the wake of covid, its remit has been extended to include health crises too. The money must be used to address damage caused by the disaster, in this case, coronavirus. The European Parliament has voted through €20.5 million for Ireland. Ireland South MEP, Billy Kelleher, hopes that care homes will benefit after a tough year.

Out words: To address that

Dur: 0’23”

Billions boost for Erasmus+ approved by European Parliament

The European Parliament has voted through the new Erasmus scheme for the next seven years. The training and student exchange programme will have a boosted budget of €26 billion and an extended remit. Every year nearly three thousand Irish students study abroad through the Erasmus scheme.  More than five thousand EU students come to Ireland. According to the latest available stats, the University of Limerick sends more students off to other parts of Europe than any other in Ireland. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says Erasmus symbolises what the European Union is all about.

Out words: What it is

Dur: 0’22”

Irish MEP leads Euro protection

Protecting the Euro from fraud is vital for confidence in the currency – that’s according to Clare Daly. The European Parliament is expected to back her recommendation to continue a €6 million scheme which aims to protect the Euro from counterfeiting. Police and bank clerks across Europe are trained to look out for fakes. Independents 4 Change MEP, Clare Daly, says so far the Euro has had a good reputation, but it is important trust in the currency is maintained.

Out words: Forgery of the Euro

Dur: 0’31”