EuroParlRadio

EC should invoke Art 167 over UK actions – Cuffe

The European Commission should invoke article one six seven (167) of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in order to get the UK to adhere to the terms of the deal.  

That’s the recommendation from Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe. The European Commission is expected to take some kind of legal action against the UK. This follows the British government’s recent move to unilaterally extend grace periods for certain goods being traded between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Article 167 obliges both the EU and the UK to endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of the Withdrawal Agreement. It obliges both sides to make every attempt to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of issues that may arise.

Ciarán Cuffe explains more.

Out words: and Europe

Dur: 00:34

Irish to lose jobs without eco tax, warns Kelly

Irish jobs will be lost unless the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is brought in – that’s the warning from Sean Kelly. Irish industry has to meet strict environmental standards under EU law. The idea of the border adjustment mechanism is that companies elsewhere in the world with lower green requirements will pay an import tax to level the playing field. Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, is supporting the measures which are being discussed this week in the European Parliament.

 

Out words: Lot of sense

Dur: 0'22"

Kelly backs eco tax

Heavy polluters should pay a levy to export to Ireland and the European Union, says Sean Kelly. The so-called European carbon border adjustment mechanism is based on the idea that our producers have to meet strict environmental standards, when others in other parts of the world do not. The European Parliament has been discussing the idea this week which is eventually expected to become EU law. Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, says it makes a lot of sense.

Out words: Be fair competition

Dur: 0'23"

 

UK actions hardening EU views – Cuffe

The European Parliament is unlikely to vote against the EU-UK free trade agreement despite recent actions of the UK over Northern Ireland.

That’s according to Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

MEPs were expected to vote on the deal later this month. But a decision on when to hold the vote was postponed following last week’s move by the UK to extend Irish sea border grace periods until October.  

Ciarán Cuffe says the UK actions are hardening opinions in Brussels.

Out words:  would cause

Dur: 00:40

Northern Ireland protocol “required” - Kelleher

Northern Ireland’s problems are technical and readily resolvable, says Billy Kelleher. Trade between Britain and Northern Ireland has been problematic since Brexit with the need for new paperwork and red tape. Last week the London unilaterally extended a range of so-called grace periods, delaying additional checks until the Autumn. But there’s anger in Brussels that the UK government did so without consultation. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says the British government has gone about it the wrong way, but by working together the UK and EU can make the Northern Ireland protocol work.

 

Out words: Innovative, creative solutions

Dur: 0’24”

Negotiation before litigation on Brexit, urges Kelleher

The UK and EU need to get back around the negotiating table on Brexit – that’s the view of Billy Kelleher. The Fianna Fáil MEP says he is very disappointed by the UK’s unilateral action, but the problems with grace periods and trade in Northern Ireland would be better solved in the joint committee than in the European Court of Justice.

Out words: To everybody’s satisfaction

Dur: 0’23”

UK Protocol move unlikely to change MEPs vote on Trade deal – Markey

The European Parliament still has to decide on when it’s going to vote on the EU-UK trade and cooperation Agreement.

It postponed a decision on a date for the vote last week. That followed the UK’s move to unilaterally extend the grace period for checks on certain goods going from Britain into Northern Ireland.

The vast majority of MEPs were expected to vote in favour of the deal before the British government’s controversial move.

However, Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey says the UK’s actions are unlikely to change MEPs views about the deal.

Out words: exporting product

Dur: 00:27

Ireland will lose if EU-UK tensions increase – Markey

The European Commission’s vice president Maroš Šefčovič will brief EU ambassadors later today on the legal action the Commission is preparing against the UK.

This follows  last week’s move by the British government to unilaterally extend the grace period for checks on certain goods going from Britain into Northern Ireland.

Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey is warning Ireland will be the big loser if tensions between the two sides escalate.

Out words: any further

Dur:  00:24

Team New Zealand proving power of collective against Covid – Ardern

The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern told the European Parliament today that no country will be safe from the COVID 19 pandemic until all countries are safe.

Jacinda Ardern made the comments during her video address to MEPs to mark International Women’s Day.  

She said New Zealand’s success in battling Covid has been a team effort.

Out words: eight billion

Dur: 00:42

COVID threatening health, economic and physical security of women – Harris

The COVID crisis has threatened the health and economic and physical security of women everywhere.  

That was the stark message from the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. She spoke to the European Parliament in a video address this afternoon to mark International Women’s Day.

The Vice President told MEPs last year nearly three in four domestic workers globally lost their jobs. And she said those who remain employed are paid far too little.

Ms Harris told the Parliament the world does not yet work for women.

Out words: fair democracies

Dur: 00:54