EuroParlRadio

Article 16 fiasco won’t “ever happen again” – Kelly

Irish MEPs are expecting Ursula von der Leyen to answer questions tomorrow about the European Commission’s recent decision to invoke Article sixteen of the Northern Irish protocol.

The move, which was rapidly reversed, caused outrage in the UK and across the island of Ireland.

The EU boss is to appear before MEPs in the European Parliament tomorrow when she’ll be answering questions on the EU’s vaccination strategy.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the Commission won’t make such a mistake again.

Out words: their lesson

Dur: 00:31

EC needs to put ‘line under’ Art 16 debacle – Kelly

MEPs are expected to grill the European Commission president about the EU’s vaccination strategy and the recent debacle over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

 

Ursula von der Leyen will appear before the European Parliament tomorrow. The EU boss has come in for strong criticism over her recent decision to trigger article sixteen (16) of the Northern Ireland Protocol. It was a decision the Commission had to speedily revoke.

 

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says MEPs will want Ms von der Leyen to answer some key questions about the damaging move to invoke Article sixteen.

 

Out words: the better

 

Dur: 00:24

Buyers of British used cars should be exempt from tariffs – Markey

Buyers of second hand cars from England, Wales and Scotland should be exempt from hefty levies because their vehicles are more suitable for Ireland than imports from other EU countries.

That’s according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

He was referring to the fact that the UK is now deemed a “third country” by the EU. That means certain items like used cars are subject to VAT if they come from Britain into an EU country including Ireland.

Out words: a tariff

Dur: 00:26

 

US tariffs on Irish food exports could jump if trade feud not resolved – Markey

US tariffs on certain Irish foods such as butter could jump to fifty percent (50%) if the current EU-US Airbus-Boeing dispute isn’t eased.

That’s the warning from Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

He was referring to the ongoing trade feud over state support to plane maker Boeing and its European rival Airbus.

The Midlands North-West MEP is hoping the new Biden administration will be more accommodating when it comes to easing punishing tariffs on EU imports.

Out words: significant trade  

Dur: 00:22

MEP hopes Biden presidency will ease tariffs on Irish food exports – Markey

The new Biden presidency should help reduce high tariffs currently being placed on Irish food exports to the US.  

That’s the hope of Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

He says certain Irish food exports to the US are being hammered with tariffs because of the ongoing dispute between the EU and the US over state support to plane maker Boeing and its European rival Airbus.

The Midlands North-West MEP is hoping Joe Biden’s administration will be more accommodating to reducing crippling tariffs.  

Out words: of free trade

Dur: 00:20

MEPs call for EU action to solve housing crisis - Cuffe

The European Parliament is calling on EU countries to solve the housing crisis and ensure everyone has access to affordable housing.

MEPs this week backed a report on the right to affordable and decent housing.

The report is calling for housing to be recognised as a fundamental right. And it’s recommending the EU seeks to end homelessness by 2030.

Lack of affordable housing is increasingly becoming a problem across the EU, with prices and rents growing steadily.

Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe explains what’s in the report.  

Out words: European level

Dur: 00:18

Local fishermen must get access to Brexit cash – O’Sullivan

Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan says local fishing communities must be prioritised when it comes to Brexit compensation.
 
The Irish fishing sector is set to lose around 15% of its current quota which equates to around 43 million euro per year.
 
The EU is making 600 million euro available for European fishing communities hit hardest by Brexit. 
 
O’Sullivan says its essential that local fishermen and businesses get access to the cash.

 

Out words: just recovery

 

Dur: 0:22

Vaccines top of the agenda at EU leaders meeting

The COVID vaccine rollout is top of the agenda of a meeting of EU leaders tonight.

 

Some countries have already called for the speeding up of the authorisation of the AstraZeneca vaccine which is easier to store and transport.

 

The leaders will also discuss the possible introduction of vaccination certs.

 

Some airlines have already said they will only accept passengers who’ve had the jab.

 

Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher says we have to be prepared

 

Out words: before entry

 

Dur: 0:22

EU leaders to discuss vaccine rollout

EU leaders meet virtually tonight to discuss a coordinated response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

 

With much of Europe still in lockdown, efforts to roll out vaccines are stepping up a gear.

 

They’re also due to discuss possible travel restrictions to contain new variants and so called ‘vaccine passports’.

 

Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher says vaccination certs are a good idea.

 

Out words: the vaccine

 

Dur: 0:21

 

EU transport cash should be invested in the West – MacManus

The West of Ireland is being ignored when it comes to funding for transport projects according to Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus.

 

He’s calling on the Government to use cash provided by the EU to complete the Western Rail Corridor.

 

MEPs debated a revision to the Trans-European Transport Network this week.

 

MacManus says the West of Ireland should be a priority.

 

Out words: seaboard

 

Dur: 0:26