EuroParlRadio

Cuffe’s law to renovate leaky and damp homes

A new law spearheaded by an Irish MEP aims to make old buildings warm and dry. Ciarán Cuffe has been put in charge of getting the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive through the European Parliament. This week he reached a compromise with the different political players ahead of a vote expected in the coming weeks. The directive will demand EU governments, including Ireland, ensure homes and offices are better insulated and are more energy efficient. The Green MEP says too many of Ireland’s old buildings are not up to standard.

 

Out words: What’s out

Dur: 0’22”

Progress but no deal yet - Andrews

A Brexit deal is not close and imminent, says Barry Andrews. British and EU negotiators are working on resolving difficulties with the Northern Ireland protocol. British press reports this morning in The Times and the Financial Times have raised speculation that an agreement is near. That idea is rubbished by Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews. He welcomes that work is underway, but warns that all Northern Ireland parties must be on board before a deal is reached.

 

Out words: Be sustainable  

Dur: 0’20”

Brexit speculation is ‘British kite-flying’

Press reports about an imminent Brexit deal are overblown speculation – that’s according to Barry Andrews. The Times reports that the EU might be prepared to offer new concessions on customs and the role of the European Court of Justice in relation to Northern Ireland. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, who sits on the UK-EU parliamentary assembly, says whilst progress is being made, difficulties still have not been resolved. He says the newspaper stories are more about the British government testing the water for a possible deal.

 

Out words: In Northern Ireland  

Dur: 0’17”

Irish Green leading energy efficiency law

A new EU law will mandate housing and office blocks to become increasingly energy efficient – that’s according to Ciarán Cuffe. It is estimated 40 per cent of Ireland’s energy-related carbon emissions come from buildings. Irish Green, Ciarán Cuffe, has been tasked with getting the law through the European Parliament. This week he reached a deal with negotiators made up of MEPs and EU governments on the basis of the draft law. Ciarán Cuffe says it will lead to buildings becoming more energy efficient and a step towards the 2050 net-zero target.

 

Out words: Need to go

Dur: 0’20”

Walsh urges policymakers’ transparency

Maria Walsh has urged policymakers to be transparent in their dealing with lobbyists. Her comments come as allegations of corruption continue to hang over the European Parliament. Earlier this week authorities requested two more MEPs be stripped of their immunity from prosecution. Parliament also voted in a new Vice President to replace another member currently under investigation. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh, said politicians must show integrity and openness.

 

Out words: To its citizens

Dur: 0’21”

Preventing violence against women EU-wide

The EU will make “major progress” in protecting women in the coming months – that’s according to Frances Fitzgerald. The Fine Gael MEP has been told that the EU will sign up to the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. Ireland is already a signatory, but Frances Fitzgerald says it needs to apply right across the EU.

 

Out words: Is everywhere

Dur: 0’20”

Markey demands video games protections

The European Parliament has demanded video games come with sufficient child protections. MEPs are worried that video games can be manipulative, violent and addictive. The European video game sector is worth around €23 billion per year. Around one-quarter of players are aged under 18, according to the industry. Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, would also like Ireland to follow the example of other countries like the Netherlands and ban so-called ‘loot boxes’. Essentially these allow players to buy a ‘cheat’ to skip certain difficult features or gaming levels. Colm Markey, who has young children himself, says it is about reassuring parents that games are developmental and safe.

 

Out words: Parents’ confidence

Dur: 0’17”

All sides must give for “messy” NI deal

Both the UK and the EU are going to have to move in order to get a Brexit deal, says Barry Andrews. Overnight the US underlined that it wants to see a negotiated settlement to the Northern Ireland Protocol that's “acceptable to all sides”. That’s adding to the pressure to reach a deal. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says trust is key.

Out words: In Northern Ireland

Dur: 0’21”

Brexit: ’We’re in the tunnel’ - Andrews

We’re “very close to a deal” on the Northern Ireland protocol – that’s according to Barry Andrews. The Fianna Fáil MEP has been following Brexit developments closely. He also sits on the EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly. Following last week’s agreement on data – one of the outstanding issues – expectations have been raised. A joint UK-EU statement promised “scoping work” towards a potential solution. Barry Andrews believes we’re on the home straight.

 

Out words: Of the tunnel

Dur: 0’22”

Pharma law to be reformed following shortages

The laws overseeing the pharmaceutical industry will be reformed in the coming months, the European Commission has announced. In a debate in the European Parliament, MEPs raised concerns about the current shortages of medicines in many countries, including Ireland. The EU’s health commissioner promised that new rules will demand pharmaceuticals have stronger supply chains and give earlier warnings if there is a risk of shortages. Fine Gael MEP, Deidre Clune says the EU also wants to encourage more drug manufacturing within Europe and to avoid overreliance on countries like China for vital products and materials.

 

Out words: Into Europe

Dur: 0’21”