EuroParlRadio

EU working to ease medicine shortages - Clune

The EU is trying to help ease medicine shortages, says Deirdre Clune. Reports suggest there are currently 224 medicines out of stock in Ireland. Many other European countries, including France, Germany and Greece, are experiencing shortages too. Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune, has been following the issue in a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She says the European Commission is in contact with the industry and is trying to coordinate supplies as best as possible.

 

Out words: On its own

Dur: 0’17”

Kelly says Ireland’s energy security threatened

Ireland will become increasingly vulnerable unless new renewable projects are sped up, Sean Kelly has warned. Ireland has agreed to far-reaching EU emission targets by 2030. Now less than seven years away. Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, says we will fail unless there is a radical overhaul of planning rules.

 

Out words: They’re doing

Dur: 0’23”

Automatic consent for wind farms - Kelly

Renewable energy projects should be automatically approved if the planning process takes more than two years – that’s the view of a Fine Gael MEP. Sean Kelly is frustrated that wind farms are being held up by lengthy planning and licensing rules. The government is due to put forward a bill shortly to streamline the process. Sean Kelly says we will fail to reach our EU climate goals if we don’t get on with new installations.

 

Out words: By default

Dur: 0’18”

MEPs vote for plastics export ban

The European Parliament has voted to stop millions of tonnes of rubbish being sent to other parts of the world. MEPs want to see a ban on sending hazardous waste and plastics to developing countries. Ministers from EU 27 countries need to agree before it can become law. Green MEP, Ciarán Cuffe, says it is going to incentivise better packaging, create jobs and encourage a circular economy.

Out words: Online shopping
Dur: 0’21”

EU creating integrity-based rules - Kelleher

Rules to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes have been voted through by the European Parliament. At the consultation stage, the Irish investment fund industry complained new EU rules “could have a substantial and widespread adverse impact on investors in regulated entities”. But Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says it is about striking the right balance.

 

Out words: Shell company

Dur: 0’18”

Kelleher backs letterbox crackdown

The European Parliament has voted in favour of new rules to try to crack down on so-called letterbox firms. These are companies that have no real employees or premises. Instead, they are simply shell entities for tax purposes. The new rules will try to identify which companies are real and which are fake, as Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, explains.

 

Out words: Shifting through

Dur: 0’17”

Joint purchasing fertiliser could cut costs

The EU should organise the joint purchasing of fertiliser to bring down the costs, says Colm Markey. Fertiliser prices have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine. The Fine Gael MEP says rising costs are also being fueled by speculation. He is calling for the EU to get a grip on the issue now and also work on more sustainable solutions for the future.

 

Out words: Food inflation

Dur: 0’20”

EU can bring down food prices - Markey

Food prices in the shops could be brought down if the EU helps farmers – that’s the view of Colm Markey. MEPs are worried the rising food prices are putting pressure on families and contributing to inflation. The issue will be raised this afternoon in a debate in the European Parliament with the Agriculture Commissioner. Speaking from Strasbourg ahead of the debate, Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, said the EU should intervene to bring down soaring farm costs so that the benefits can be passed on to consumers.

 

Out words: In the shops

Dur: 0’18”

O’Sullivan demands all Binder charges dropped

Grace O’Sullivan has arrived in the European Parliament promising to redouble attempts to get all the charges against Sean Binder dropped. The Green MEP was in court in Lesbos last week to hear the case. The judge threw out the most serious espionage accusations, but Sean Binder could still face further legal action. Speaking in Strasbourg this afternoon, Grace O’Sullivan said she is still fighting on his behalf. 

Out words: All the charges
Dur: 0’22”

Binder case costing lives – O’Sullivan

Migrant rescue workers' “fear and intimidation” as a result of the Sean Binder case is costing lives – that’s according to Grace O’Sullivan. The Irish Green MEP has just returned from Lesbos. She was in court with Sean Binder to hear the most serious charges against him being dropped. But Grace O’Sullivan says the case has had a "chilling effect" on NGOs and is scared away rescuers from doing vital work saving people from the sea.

Out words: Definitely cost lives
Dur: 0’13”