EuroParlRadio

Clune - “Special relationship” despite Brexit

Ireland will always have a “special relationship” with the UK despite Brexit – that’s the view of Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune. The European Parliament is finally voting today whether to ratify the Christmas Brexit deal. She is confident that, beyond the current disputes, Brexit will settle into the new normal.

Out words:  Always a special relationship

Dur: 0’22”

Brexit: “Move forward with hope” - Clune

Ratifying the Brexit deal gives Irish businesses and citizens certainty, says Deirdre Clune. The European Parliament is voting today on the final step of the Brexit deal which was agreed at Christmas. Without MEPs' support, Brexit faces yet another cliff-edge at the end of the month. The result of the vote will be announced tomorrow morning. Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, says with the deal in place UK-EU relations can move forward.

Out words:  Engagement with the UK

Dur: 0’27”

EU-UK relationship improving – Kelly

MEPs in the European Parliament will vote later today on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation agreement.

The deal was brokered last December and it came into provisional force in January. But the European Parliament’s consent is necessary for the agreement’s formal entry into force.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the passage of the deal should help improve relations between the bloc and the UK.

Out words: be implemented

Dur: 00:40

Von der Leyen reports a “new constructive dynamic” on NI Protocol

Progress is being made between the EU and the UK in ongoing talks aimed at resolving problems with the Brexit protocol on Northern Ireland.

That was the message this morning from the President of the European Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen made the comments during an address to the European Parliament.

Later today MEPs will vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation agreement.  

Out words:  Northern Ireland

Dur: 00:45

EU should be “decisive and strong” on Brexit - Markey

Midlands North-West MEP, Colm Markey, has welcomed signs of more positive discussions between the UK and EU. In the Brexit debate in the European Parliament this morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said there was “a new constructive dynamic” in ongoing talks with the UK aimed at resolving problems with the protocol in Northern Ireland. The European Parliament will finally vote on the Brexit deal later today. Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, says the EU should be firm but fair.

 

Out words:  Can’t afford that

Dur: 0’21”

Brexit ratification “important moment”

Ratification of the Brexit deal offers a chance for a “new start” between the UK and the EU – that’s the view of Midlands North-West MEP, Colm Markey. The European Parliament has spent the last months scrutinising the detail of the Christmas agreement. The final vote takes place later today. Fine Gael’s, Colm Markey, is in Brussels to cast his vote. He says both sides need to take the opportunity to progress.

Out words:  Can be resolved

Dur: 0’27”

European Parliament to vote on Brexit trade deal today – Kelly

The European Parliament will vote today on the EU-UK Trade deal that was brokered at the end of last year.

MEPs have spent the last four months scrutinising the deal which went into provisional force in January.

The deal has already been approved by the Parliament’s Trade and Foreign Affairs committees and it’s expected the majority of MEPs will pass the deal.  

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the vote comes at a crucial time for Northern Ireland where the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol has caused many difficulties.

Out words: with it

Dur: 00:40

Ursula von der Leyen speaks about Turkey & Sofagate

The European Commission President speaks about her humiliating experience in Turkey recently when she was relegated to a sofa during an official visit to Ankara.

Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs in the European Parliament last night, that she felt hurt and alone after having to sit on a sofa during a meeting with the Turkish president and her European Council counterpart Charles Michel.

The two men sat on majestic chairs while Ms Von der Leyen was forced to sit further away from them on a sofa.  

The incident caused outrage at the time. During her address last night, President von der Leyen also spoke about the Istanbul Convention which calls for action against violence against women and domestic violence.  

Out words: of democracy

Dur: 5:34

 

Sunset clause essential for covid passports - Barry Andrews

Citizens need to know that they will regain freedom of movement beyond coronavirus, insists Barry Andrews. The Fianna Fáil MEP is supporting the EU’s plans for a covid passport, or ‘Digital Green Certificate’, to allow people to travel if they can prove they are covid-free. The European Parliament is voting on the proposals this week. He hopes it will allow us all to travel at least within Europe this summer, and bring a much-needed revival to Ireland’s tourism industry. But he says it is essential that the law contains a sunset clause – the commitment that in a world recovered from covid, the certificates will be wound up.

Out words:  You’re not stuck with this

Dur: 0’26”

Covid passports may not be ready for summer hols

The official document to prove you’re covid-free to go abroad on holiday may not be ready for the start of the summer - that’s the warning from Irish MEP, Barry Andrews. The European Commission has proposed a system of covid passports – officially called Digital Green Certificates – which would be recognised in all 27 EU member states. They would allow travellers to prove they have either been vaccinated, received a negative test result or have recovered from coronavirus. The European Parliament is rushing through the legislation this week so that work can get underway. But Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says each country will need to get all the technology and paperwork in place in a matter of months if we’re going to be able to use the certificates this summer.

Out words:  I’m pretty confident

Dur: 0’23”