EuroParlRadio

Full raw clip EU Commission on WA Northern Ireland protocol – Šefčovič

The European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič who is the co-chair of the EU-UK Joint Committee on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement addressed the European Parliament this morning.  

Mr Šefčovič told MEPs the Brexit Withdrawal agreement and the protocol on Northern Ireland will be fully operational from January the 1^st regardless of whether or not a trade deal will be secured with the UK by then.

His announcement followed yesterday’s fifth meeting of the EU-UK joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement.  

In the clip he explains how the NI protocol will work in the future.

Out words: upcoming year

Dur: 7:22

Hard border on island of Ireland “will be avoided” – European Commission

The Good Friday agreement will be protected and a hard border on the island of Ireland will be avoided regardless of whether a Brexit trade deal is secured.

That was the message this morning from the European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič during an address to the European Parliament.

Mr Sefkovic is the co chair of the EU-UK Joint Committee under the Withdrawal Agreement.

He told MEPs the Brexit Withdrawal agreement and the protocol on Northern Ireland will be operational from January the 1^st.

Out words: Single market

Dur: 00:44

Better rail services will cut emissions – O’Sullivan

A Green Party MEP says improving Ireland’s rail network will help reduce carbon emissions.

 

The EU Parliament this week approved a decision to make 2021 the European Year of Rail.

 

The initiative aims to promote railways as a safe, sustainable and innovative mode of transport.

 

Grace O’Sullivan says more Irish people would choose rail if the network was upgraded

 

Out words: real option  

Dur: 0:21

MEPs to debate Brexit amid rising tensions– voicer

(NOTE: Check for any major developments overnight) 

The European Parliament is debating Brexit this morning amid rising political tensions.

 

MEPs say unless a deal is done by Sunday, they won’t have time to scrutinise and ratify it before the UK formally leaves the EU on January 1^st.

 

Kevin Purcell reports from the European Parliament in Brussels

 

Out words: in Brussels

Dur: 0:37

CAP transition gives certainty and breathing space - Kelleher

Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher says farmers will have certainty after current CAP rules were extended for two years.

 

It means payments will continue until the next Common Agricultural Policy comes into effect.

 

Each member state will also have to put forward strategic plans under the new framework.

 

Billy Kelleher says the transition period will allow for some fresh thinking

 

Out words: environmental protection

Dur: 0:28

CAP proposals not green enough - Cuffe

The proposed new Common Agricultural Policy needs a re-think according to Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

 

He was speaking as the European Parliament debated a new strategy on adapting to Climate Change.

 

Cuffe says good work is being done in areas like energy and transport.

 

However, the Dublin MEP says CAP isn’t green enough

 

Out words: farmers

Dur: 0:18

European Parliament sets Sunday deadline for Brexit deal - voicer

The European Parliament says it can’t ratify any Brexit deal unless agreement is reached by Sunday.

 

MEPs say they need time to properly scrutinse the deal before giving it their consent.

 

Kevin Purcell reports from the European Parliament in Brussels

 

Out words: in Brussels

Dur: 0:40

Barnier says last stumbling blocks remain in Brexit talks

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator says good progress is being made in talks with the UK but last stumbling blocks remain.

 

Both sides are still trying to hammer out a trade deal before the end of the transition period on December 31^st.  

 

Barnier took time out of the discussions to update the leaders of political groupings in the European Parliament this morning.

 

Some are concerned that MEPs might not have enough time to properly scrutinise any deal before voting on it.

 

But Fianna Faíl’s Billy Kelleher says it shouldn’t be a problem

 

Out words: twenty one

Dur: 0:26

MEPs approve €1.8 trillion budget - voicer

MEPs have approved the EU’s 1.8 trillion-euro budget for the next 7 years.

 

The package includes a 750-billion-euro COVID recovery fund and will come into effect on January 1^st.

 

Kevin Purcell reports from the European Parliament in Brussels

 

Out words: in

Walsh says COVID can’t lead to another ‘lost generation’

Tackling youth unemployment must a priority in the post COVID era according to Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh.

 

She was speaking as the European Parliament discussed reforming vocational educational and training.

 

Walsh says young people need to have the skills for the digital and green transformations.

 

The Midlands-North-West MEP says we cannot repeat past mistakes 

 

Out words: upmost priority

Dur: 0:20