EuroParlRadio

Von der Leyen “not too optimistic” on Brexit trade deal – Kelly

The President of the European Commission this morning warned no changes can be made to the International Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Ursula von der Leyen made the warnings during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

During her speech she referred to the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who had stressed that Britain does not break treaties.

The EU is up in arms over Boris Johnson’s attempts to override aspects of the Withdrawal agreement with his Internal Market Bill.

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says Mrs von der Leyen gave a sobering account of the state of trade talks between the EU and the UK without directly referring to Boris Johnson.  

Out words: of view

Dur: 00:38

British “can’t be trusted” warns MacManus to von der Leyen

The Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus this morning told the President of the European Commission that the British could not be trusted and that they don’t care about Ireland.

The Midlands North-West MEP was responding to Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

During her lengthy speech, she told MEPs there was little time left to negotiate a trade deal with the UK. And she warned there could be no changes to the Brexit Withdrawal Treaty as proposed in Boris Johnson’s Internal Market bill.  

 

Von der Leyen evokes memory of Thatcher on Brexit stalemate

The President of the European Commission quoted the former British PM Margaret Thatcher this morning when she talked about the current impasse in trade talks between the EU and the UK.

During her State of the Union address to the European Parliament this morning, Ursula von der Leyen recalled Mrs Thatcher’s views on breaking treaties.

She told MEPs there was very little time left to negotiate a trade deal between the bloc and the UK.

Out words: true today

Dur: 00:44

 

Withdrawal agreement “cannot be unilaterally changed” – von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission this morning announced there was “very little time” left to negotiate a trade deal with the UK.

Ursula von der Leyen made her remarks during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Brussels.

She warned there could be no changes to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement as Boris Johnson is proposing in his Internal Market Bill.

Out words: good faith (ends with clapping after)

Dur: 00:54

EU reaction to Johnson’s Internal Market Bill – Packaged Report

Boris Johnson’s attempts to row back on commitments made in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement moved a step closer last night when the majority of British MPs backed the second reading of his Internal Market Bill.

However, there’s been growing consternation from UK opponents of the Bill from both within and outside the Conservative party with the likes of former Tory Prime Ministers including John Major and Theresa May, voicing their opposition to it.

But how is Johnson’s bill going down in EU circles?

Karen Coleman has been speaking to MEPs in the European Parliament in Brussels. She has a round-up of their views on it.

Out words: EuroParlRadio

Dur: 05:32

Consternation in EU circles over Johnson Bill – Fitzgerald

Fine Gael’s Frances Fitzgerald, MEP for Dublin, says the EU could start legal action very soon against the UK if it doesn’t change its controversial Internal Markets Bill.  

The EU has given the UK until the end of September to remove the offending clauses from the Bill that breach the international Brexit Withdrawal treaty.

The EU is warning the UK will face financial or trade sanctions if it doesn’t knuckle down and play by the rules.

Out words: human rights

Dur:  00:33  

Clune welcomes COVID travel plan

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune is welcoming the Government’s commitment to sign up to an EU ‘traffic light’ system for international travel.

 

The plan is expected to be finalised next month and would see countries designated red, amber or green depending on COVID numbers.

 

It means passengers won’t have to self-isolate for 14 days if they’re returning from a ‘safe’ country.

 

Deirdre Clune says a common approach is needed across the EU:

 

Out words: across Europe
 
Dur: 00:26

Johnson’s law-breaking bill a “shock to the system” – Kelleher

The EU must encourage the UK to come to its senses to enable the bones of a trade deal to be brokered between the two sides.

That’s the recommendation from the Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher. He says MEPs are stunned and shocked by the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s attempt to breach elements of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement with his controversial Internal Market bill.

The Ireland South MEP’s hoping some minimal form of a trade deal can still be brokered before the UK leaves the Brexit transition period at the end of the year.

Out words: everybody’s sake

Dur: 00:30

Covid Clarity needed for travelling workers across EU – Cuffe

People need greater clarity on what they’re supposed to do when they travel to and from EU countries.

That’s the advice from the Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

The European Parliament is this week set to call for a common approach on Covid testing procedures and risk classification in EU countries. 

Out words: days later  

Dur: 00:25

Pandemic in a “complex” phase – Andrews

Dublin MEP Barry Andrews insists the Government’s latest COVID plan is clear but acknowledges the difficulties in trying to communicate it.

 

The framework contains a five-level alert system with number 1 being the least restrictive.

 

At the moment, the entire country is on level 2 however some added measures are in place in Dublin.

 

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews says the new plan reflects the complexity of the situation:

 

Out words: going to 
 
Dur: 00:27