EuroParlRadio

McGuinness outlines Commissioner priorities

People will be at the heart of Mairead McGuinness’s vision as she fulfils her tasks as the EU Commissioner for Financial Services.

That was one of the messages Ireland’s Commissioner Designate gave in front of a hearing this morning before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

Mairead McGuinness was grilled on a range of issues by MEPs from the Parliament’s powerful ECON committee.

Before taking questions from the MEPs she gave a speech in which she laid out her vision for the job.

Out words: inclusive society

Dur: 00:41

McGuinness outlines her financial expertise to MEPs

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Designate for Financial Services gave MEPs an account of her experience in financial issues when she appeared before them this morning.

Mairead McGuinness was grilled by MEPs in the European Parliament’s powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

They have to approve her nomination before a vote in the Parliament’s plenary session this month when all of the MEPs will decide whether or not the Fine Gael MEP should be approved for the position.

During her hearing the MEP for the Midlands North-West constituency stressed her experience in financial issues as an MEP.  

Out words: our environment

Dur: 00:40

Being Irish can be an asset McGuinness reassures MEPs - LONG CLIP

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says the European Parliament shouldn’t fear the fact that she’s Irish should they approve her appointment as Ireland’s new European Commissioner for Financial Services.

The Commissioner Designate this morning appeared before the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. They have to approve her appointment before the entire European Parliament votes on her nomination this month.

During the hearing Mairead McGuinness was pressed about Irish people holding prominent positions such as the presidency of the EuroGroup (held by Paschal Donohoe) and the Chief Economist of the ECB (held by Philip Lane).

Dur: 00:56

McGuinness reassures MEPs not to fear the Irish

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says the European Parliament shouldn’t fear the fact that she’s Irish should they approve her appointment as Ireland’s new European Commissioner for Financial Services.

The Commissioner Designate this morning appeared before the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. They have to approve her appointment before the entire European Parliament votes on her nomination this month.

During the hearing Mairead McGuinness was pressed about Irish people holding prominent positions such as the presidency of the EuroGroup (held by Paschal Donohoe) and the Chief Economist of the ECB.

Out words: the Irish

Dur: 00:40

McGuinness vows to “leave my national hat at the door”

Ireland’s European Commissioner designate was grilled this morning by members of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

Mairead McGuinness had to demonstrate her general competences and expertise in her designated portfolio of Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.

During the hearing she was asked about tax harmonisation and what her views on that would be should she be approved by the MEPs.

Out words:  fair taxation

Dur: 00:41

From slurry pits to Covid - a week in European politics PACKAGED REPORT

It was a busy week in European Parliament with MEPs tackling a range of issues from the Covid pandemic to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions .

And of course lurking in the shadows was Brexit and Boris Johnson’s proposals to over-ride elements of the Withdrawal Agreement with his Internal Market Bill.  

Karen Coleman has this round up of the main issues that dominated the European Parliament’s plenary session.

Out words: EuroParlRadio

Dur: 5:24

EU needs to frontload Renovation Wave in buildings – Cuffe

The European Commission needs to put its money where its mouth is and fund the renovation of buildings across the EU to make them more energy efficient.

That’s the recommendation from the Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe.  

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week said the EU needs to reduce its toxic carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It’s all part of Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050.

Ciarán Cuffe says renovating buildings would go a long way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Out words: buildings use

Dur: 00:24

Covid travel rules making MEP job “difficult”– Kelly

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly is calling for greater clarity on Covid travel rules for workers who have to move in and out of Ireland.

At the moment, the rules around travel are complicated due to the different rates of infection across Europe. The issue was debated in the European Parliament this week where MEPs called for a common EU approach.

Sean Kelly says the requirement to self-isolate when he travels to and from Brussels makes his job more challenging.

Out words: an advantage

Dur: 00:36

Solar panels on sheds & slurry for energy generation – Kelly

Farmers should be incentivised to put solar panels on their sheds to help generate clean energy and reduce damaging greenhouse gas emissions.

That’s the recommendation from the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly. He was responding to this week’s announcement by the European Commission president to reduce carbon emissions in the EU by at least 55% (fifty five percent) by 2030.

Sean Kelly says there are plenty of things farmers can do to go green.

Out words: enormously

Dur: 00: 34

MEPs demand more help for regions making tough energy transitions – Kelly

The European Parliament is calling for more help for people and regions making transitions from high to low carbon economies.

The President of the European Commission yesterday announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the EU to at least 55% (fifty per cent) of 1990 levels by 2030.

That will be tough for regions that are heavily dependent on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries.

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly explains how going green will impact on Ireland.

Out words: forgotten about

Dur: 00:26