EuroParlRadio

McGuinness should get Parliament approval for EU job – Cuffe

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness should win the approval of the European Parliament to become the new EU Commissioner for Financial Services.

So says Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

Mairead McGuinness was recently selected by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to replace Phil Hogan. He had to resign from the Commission following the Golfgate controversy.

But before Mrs McGuinness can take up her new job she first has to face a hearing before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON). And  then she’ll have to win the majority of support of all of the MEPs in a vote in the European Parliament.

Here’s Ciarán Cuffe.

Out words: ECON committee

Dur: 00:22

MEP calls for sanctions against Poland for LGBTI free zones – Sullivan

Financial sanctions should be imposed on Poland if it doesn’t end its discriminatory policies on LGBTI-free zones.

That’s the recommendation from the Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan.

MEPs this week slammed Poland where certain local authorities have declared their territories “LGBTI-free zones”. Intolerance and violence towards LGBTI people are on the rise in Poland.

And a European Parliament report says there’s “overwhelming evidence” of rule of law breaches, including risks for judicial independence, interference with legislative and electoral systems and threats to fundamental rights.

Grace O’Sullivan says the EU needs to take stronger action to stop human rights abuses in Poland.

Out words: local municipalities

Dur: 00:33

Ireland to join EU system for COVID travel

Intro script:

Ireland is set to join a new EU system for international travel during the COVID pandemic.

It’s currently being drawn up by the European Commission and is expected to come into effect next month.

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.

Reporter Kevin Purcell has been speaking to some, in Brussels: 
 
Out words: in Brussels

Dur: 05:00

Assessing Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address – PACKAGED REPORT

The President of the European Commission delivered her first State of the European Union address on Wednesday morning in the European Parliament.

The annual speech gives the EU boss the opportunity to tell MEPs what the Commission has been doing over the last year and what it’s proposing to do in the years ahead.  

Ursula von der Leyen’s lengthy address touched on a wide range of issues from Covid to Brexit and from climate change to racism and discrimination.

Karen Coleman has this roundup of the Commissions boss’s big speech in Brussels.

Out words: EuroParlRadio

Dur: 5:32

EU needs to build up vital medical supplies – Fitzgerald

The European Commission is proposing to strengthen the European medicines agency and  the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The President of the European Commission told the European Parliament today the EU will build an Agency for biomedical advanced research and development to help respond to cross border threats and emergencies.

Ursula von der Leyen also said the EU needed to stockpile pharmaceutical goods in particular.

The Covid pandemic has highlighted Europe’s vulnerability when it comes to supplies of vital medicines. Fine Gael’s Frances Fitzgerald, MEP for Dublin, says the EU needs to increase its production of important medical supplies.

Out words: up supplies

Dur: 00:26

Poland should be sanctioned for LGBT stance - Walsh

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says gay people should have the same rights no matter what EU country they live in.

 

She was speaking after the President of the European Commission hit out at the Polish Government over its LGBT stance.

 

In recent years, dozens of the towns in the country have declared themselves as ‘LGBT-free zones’.

 

Maria Walsh says Poland should be punished:

 

Out words: in play

 
Dur: 00:11

55% carbon emissions cuts must be carefully implemented – Andrews

The President of the European Commission today announced plans to accelerate carbon emissions cuts to at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

It’s all part of Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal which involves a spate of initiatives to make the EU the world’s first climate neutral continent by 2050.

But achieving those emissions cuts could mean significant changes to how we live our lives.

Part of the plan includes what’s called the Just Transition fund. It’s supposed to help people and regions most effected by the transition from high to low carbon economies.

The Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says policies that implement carbon emissions cuts must be carefully implemented.     

Out words: in mind

Dur: 00:30

Walsh welcomes LGBT warning to Poland

The President of the European Commission says LGBT-free zones have no place in the EU.

 

Ursula von der Leyen’s comments come after MEPs criticised the Polish Government’s attitude towards LGBT people.

 

Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh is among those calling for EU funding to be withdrawn. 

 

The Midlands-North-West MEP says today’s comments from the Commission President send out a strong message:

 

Out words: with me
 
Dur: 00:36

EU calls for carbon emissions cuts of 55% by 2030 – von der Leyen

The European Commission is calling for an increase in carbon emission cuts to at least fifty five percent by 2030.

This morning the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her ambition to make the EU the first climate neutral continent by 2050.

Ursula von der Leyen outlined her ambitious goals during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

Out words: fifty five percent

Dur: 00:34

Johnson’s Brexit gamble backfiring – Kelly

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has “over played his hand” in his gamble to over-ride aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

So says the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly.

He was commenting on Mr Johnson’s Internal Market Bill which has caused a furore in EU circles because of the elements of it that would breach international treaties.

Out words: late stage

Dur: 00:33