EuroParlRadio

Ireland “sacrificed” to UK sovereignty - Andrews

The UK is playing a political game to keep Brexit in permanent negotiation – that’s the view of Barry Andrews. The UK has decided to unilaterally – without consulting their EU counterparts – to extend grace periods in Northern Ireland. The European Commission is planning to retaliate with legal action in the coming days. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews is very concerned that rather than building a partnership with the EU, the UK is set on an ideological course. And he fears the losers will be Irish and British citizens.

Out words:  Are being sacrificed

Dur: 0’23”

Polish anti-gay zones unacceptable - O'Sullivan

Irish MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, has deeply criticised anti-gay zones in Poland. Some towns have labelled themselves “LGBTI-free zones”. The European Parliament has previously condemned the anti-gay rhetoric. But this week MEPs are taking a step further. In a resolution due to be put to the vote tomorrow – and co-signed by Ireland South MEP, Grace O'Sullivan – they call for the entire European Union to be declared an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”. Grace O'Sullivan says it is important to uphold European equality values.

 

Out words: Equality and inclusion

Dur: 0’23”

European Parliament to declare EU gay-friendly

The entire European Union should be declared an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”, according to a resolution being debated in the European Parliament. The move comes in reaction to worrying stories of restrictions on gay rights in Poland where a number of towns have branded themselves “LGBTI-free zones”. Earlier this week the French Europe Minister on a visit to Poland said he had been told he was not welcome in those parts of the country because he is gay. Green MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, is one of those who signed the rainbow resolution. She says it sends a strong, positive message out across the EU.

 

Out words: A ripple effect

Dur: 0’23”

Vaccine roll-out to ‘increase significantly’ – Clune

The European Medicines Agency is expected to approve the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow.

The approval of the one-off shot should see an increase in Covid vaccines in EU countries.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says that will mean far more vaccines arriving in Ireland over the coming months.

Out words: significantly

Dur: 00:18

EU needs to become more self-sufficient in producing medicines – Clune

The EU needs to become more self-sufficient when it comes to producing its own medicines. So says Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune.

The European Parliament voted yesterday for a five billion euro (€5bn) initiative that aims to better prepare EU health systems for future health threats and pandemics.

One aim of the new EU4Health programme is to make medicines and medical devices more available, accessible and affordable.

Here’s Deirdre Clune.

Out words: the future

Dur:  00:27

InvestEU to avoid new credit crunch - Kelleher

Ireland and the EU must avoid another credit crunch in the wake of coronavirus, Billy Kelleher has warned. In the financial crisis from 2008, the lenders stopped lending. It caused huge problems for businesses, especially SMEs. This time, the European Union has got in early with its multi-billion InvestEU fund to give confidence to the financial markets. The European Parliament has just given its backing. Ireland South MEP, Billy Kelleher, says he hopes this will make the difference compared to the last crisis.

 

Out words: This particular space

Dur: 0'24"

MEPs approve €5.1bn EU Health programme – Clune

The European Parliament has voted for a five point one billion (€5.1bn) euro initiative that aims to better prepare EU health systems for future health threats and pandemics.

The EU 4 Health programme was initiated by the European Commission last May as a response to the COVID 19 crisis.

The idea of the programme is to ensure medicines and medical equipment are readily available and affordable to member states. And it aims to address long-term challenges such as ageing populations and health inequalities.

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, Deirdre Clune explains.

Out words: production capacity

Dur: 00:35

EU must end China dependence - Kelly

Europe must not be reliant on countries like India and China for the health of our citizens, Sean Kelly has warned. At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the EU found it difficult to secure medical supplies because crucial components had to be imported from other parts of the world. Now the European Parliament has voted through a €5.1 billion Health4EU fund designed to bolster the response against future pandemics. Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, explains how it will, he hopes, make all the difference.

 

Out words: When the pandemic strikes

Dur: 0'21"

Pandemic lesson is for Europe to work together - Kelly

Europe was too dependent on India and China for medical supplies – that’s the lesson Sean Kelly says needs to be learnt from coronavirus. The European Parliament has voted through a plan to improve European co-operation in future. The € 5.1 billion Health4EU fund is designed to strengthen Europe from international health threats. Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, says we’ve learnt the hard way that collaborating is more effective.

 

Out words: The standard required

Dur: 0'23"

European Parliament backs multi-billion corona recovery fund

The European Parliament has back a multi-billion Euro programme to revive the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. €26 billion from the EU budget will be invested by the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions to create a €400 billion war chest. The money will be spent on projects to revive and ‘green’ the economy. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says the fund will provide an important injection to the Irish recovery.

Out words: Willing to invest

Dur: 0'22"