EuroParlRadio

Coordinated EU health policy not a threat to sovereignty - Andrews

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews says a more coordinated EU health policy is not a threat to sovereignty.

Currently, health is not an EU competence – meaning it’s a matter for individual member states.

The European Parliament will debate an overhaul of Europe’s public health policy strategy - in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.    

Dublin MEP Barry Andrews says more collaboration would benefit everyone.

 

Out words: member states

Dur: 0:32

Hope for “Strong leadership” from German EU presidency – McGuinness

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the European Parliament in Brussels today.

Her presence before MEPs marked Germany’s presidency of the Council of the EU which it took over on July the first. Its presidency priorities are driven by its motto “Together for Europe’s recovery”.

They include dealing with the economic and social recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she’s hoping Germany will provide strong leadership on a number of issues over the next six months.

Out words: and socially

Dur: 00:39

 

How would new coalition government influence European stage? – Kelly

We’ll know very soon whether or not we will have a new coalition government. But how will that cross-party cooperation at home influence the European stage?

At the moment Irish MEPs from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party all sit in different political groups in the European Parliament. And they can end up voting differently on key issues.

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says a cross-party government should have a positive influence from a European point of view.

Out words: compromise quicker

Dur: 00:42

How would new coalition influence cross-party MEPs' work? REPORT

We’ll know very soon whether or not we will have a new coalition government.

If it gets the green light, then we will enter a new era of political history with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party all in government together.

But how will that cooperation at home influence the European stage? At the moment Irish MEPs from the three parties all sit in different political groups in the European Parliament. And they can end up voting differently on key issues.

Karen Coleman has this report.  

Out words: EuroParlRadio

Dur: 5:33

Racism in the European spotlight – Packaged report

The scourge of racism in the US, Europe and across the globe was debated in the European Parliament last Wednesday.

The discussion followed the death of the African American George Floyd who died after his arrest by police officers in Minneapolis last month.

The debate preceded a vote on a resolution condemning racism.

Karen Coleman has this round-up of that debate.

Out words: EuroParlRadio

Dur: 4:06

“Hell of a lot of work” to do to tackle racism – Walsh

The European Parliament will vote later today on a resolution that strongly condemns the death of the African American George Floyd.

The resolution says racism is an issue of concern across the globe and that racist and xenophobic attitudes persist everywhere in the world.

The Parliament is calling on EU institutions and member states to strongly and publicly denounce the disproportionate use of force and racist tendencies in law enforcement whenever it occurs in the EU, and around the world.

Maria Walsh says there’s much to be done to tackle racism in society.

Out words: to do

Dur: 00:25

Racism isn’t just an American problem – Walsh

MEPs in the European Parliament will vote later today on a resolution that strongly condemns the death of the African American George Floyd.

The 46 year old died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes after he was arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit bill last month in Minneapolis. 

Today’s vote follows an emotional debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday when MEPs voiced passionate views on the scourge of racism in today’s world.

The Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says this kind of discrimination isn’t just an American issue. 

Out words: our institutions

Dur: 00:36

EU set to give green light to Inquiry into live transport of animals – McGuinness

The European Parliament is set to give the green light today to a special committee of inquiry into the live transport of animals. Calls for the inquiry came after serious concerns about the way animals are transported both within and outside the EU.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says this will be an important issue for Ireland.

Out words: animals mistreated  

Dur: 00:45

Reviving tourism and tackling COVID disinformation – Packaged report by Kevin Purcell

MEPs have been debating how to get Europe moving again as the COVID lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.

Tourism has been one of the worst hit sectors during the pandemic and the EU is keen to get consumers travelling and spending to revive the economy.

But what does it mean for Ireland which still requires people to self-isolate upon return?

Meanwhile, attempts to tackle the spread of fake news have stepped up a gear as Kevin Purcell reports from Brussels.

 

Dur: 5:05

Out: IN BRUSSELS

EU-UK Trade talks stumble along – Packaged report by Karen Coleman

MEPs in the European Parliament this week displayed their “unwavering support” for the EU’s negotiating position with the UK in the Brexit trade talks.

A large majority of MEPs voted for a resolution that backed the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier in his talks with his British counterparts. MEPs also warned the UK couldn’t cherry pick the policies that suited it while also expecting access to the Single Market.

They’re calling on the UK to respect its commitments set out in the Political Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ratified by both the EU and the UK last year.

The Brexit trade talks have stalled once again after four rounds of talks. They’re due to start again in July.

Karen Coleman has this report on the state of play of the Brexit trade talks.

FULL Out words: by then

Dur: 6:07