EuroParlRadio

Maria Walsh hoping for Biden-Harris visit

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says US President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris are both welcome to visit Co. Mayo.

 

Walsh, who was born in the United States and grew up in Shrule, says she followed the US election results very closely.

 

Joe Biden’s Irish roots can be traced back to Mayo and Louth - both in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

 

Maria Walsh is hoping that he might pay a visit, once in office  

Dur: 0:18

Out: in Ireland   

 

Time for the EU to ban conversion therapy - Walsh

A Fine Gael MEP is calling on all EU countries to come together to ban gay conversion therapy.

 

It’s already illegal is some member states while the current Irish Government has promised to follow suit during its term.

 

Maria Walsh made the call during a debate in Parliament on the EU’s first ever LGBTI equality strategy.

 

She said it’s for the EU to act

Dur: 0:17

Out: EU countries  

Walsh calls for EU ban on ‘conversion therapy’

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh is calling for an EU-wide ban on gay conversion therapy.

 

She was speaking during a debate on the first LGBTI equality strategy in the European Parliament.

 

The current Irish Government has promised to ban conversion therapy during its term.

 

Maria Walsh wants the entire EU to do the same

Dur: 0:15

Out: disgusting

Kelleher calls for re-think of lead gunshot ban

Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher says proposed new EU laws on banning the use of lead ammunition in wetlands are not fair on farmers.

 

The Ireland South MEP says he supports the idea in principle but has concerns about the small print.

 

The European Parliament is voting on whether to oppose the legislation this week.

 

Kelleher says elements of the plan don’t make sense

 

Dur: 0:20

Out: the Commission

 

 

Lead gunshot ban too vague - Kelleher

Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher says proposed new EU laws to ban the use of lead ammunition in wetlands is too vague.

 

The European Parliament is this week voting on a resolution which calls for a re-think.

 

Wildlife groups claim that one million birds are poisoned in the EU each year due to the use of lead shot over wetlands.

 

Billy Kelleher supports the ban in principle but says the definition of wetlands isn’t clear  

Dur: 0:32

Out: from that

EU Chief warns about relaxing COVID measures – Voicer

The President of the European Commission is warning member states not to relax COVID restrictions too quickly.

 

Ursula von der Leyen said countries should also get ready for the deployment of hundreds of millions of vaccines.

 

Kevin Purcell reports from the European Parliament in Brussels

 

Out: in Brussels

Dur: 0:39

MEPs need time to scrutinise any Brexit deal - Andrews

Dublin MEP Barry Andrews says the European Parliament can’t be a rubber stamp for something as complex as Brexit.

 

The clock is ticking for the EU and UK to reach a trade agreement before the end of the year.

 

Any deal will then have to be ratified by Parliament.

 

Barry Andrews fears there won’t be time for proper scrutiny.

 

Out:  consent procedure

Dur: 0:26

Brexit vote could come days after Christmas – Andrews

The European Parliament may have to meet in the days after Christmas to ratify any trade deal with the UK.

The President of the European Commission says talks are now entering into a decisive phase.

However, speaking to MEPs this morning, Ursula von der Leyen said there are still issues to resolve and agreement is far from certain.

Any deal will have to be passed by MEPs before December 31^st.  

Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin Barry Andrews says it could go down to the wire  

 

Out: this position

Dur: 0:23

"Brexit talks entering decisive days" – von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission says Brexit talks are entering "decisive days".

 

Ursula von der Leyen updated MEPs on the state of play in the European Parliament this morning.

 

The EU and the UK are still trying to hammer out a trade deal before the Brexit transition period expires at the end of the year.

 

Ursula von der Leyen says progress has been made but there are still issues to be resolved

 

Out: and fisheries

Dur: 0:16

Repairing products should be easier for consumers - Cuffe

Europe is clamping down on manufacturers who intentionally shorten the lifespan of a product.

 

MEPs are voting on a set of measures to end the ‘throwaway’ culture.

 

The aim is to make it easier and cheaper for consumers to have products repaired.

 

Green MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe says the plans are long overdue  

 

Out: to happen

Dur: 0:21