Ireland’s wind energy projects could be speeded up thanks to a vote in the European Parliament this week. MEPs supported moves for a faster rollout of permits for renewable energy initiatives. The proposals also include an obligation for EU countries to ensure that permits to install solar energy equipment on buildings are delivered within one month. 

The measures are all part of the EU’s REpowerEU package, which aims to cut European dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia, following its war on Ukraine.

Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe says there’s huge potential in Ireland to develop wind energy projects.

Out words: planning process

Dur: 00:34

Getting permits for renewable energy projects such as off-shore wind power installations should become faster following a vote in the European Parliament.

MEPs in Strasbourg have endorsed a proposed law which will accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy projects such as windmills or solar panel installations.

The aim is to help reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels imported from Russia and speed up the rollout of clean energy supplies. Here’s the Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe.  

Out words: is protected

Dur: 00:22

The EU’s Brexit negotiator is due to meet the British Foreign Secretary today to try resolve concerns about the Northern Ireland protocol.

Maroš Šefčovič will meet James Cleverly in Brussels. The meeting comes amid reports that the UK’s contentious Northern Ireland protocol bill has been put on ice to allow more time for the negotiations. 

Well Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews believes a deal on the disputed protocol issues can be reached within the next couple of months. Karen Coleman (EuroParlRadio editor) spoke to Barry Andrews in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She first asked him if he believed relations between the bloc and the UK have improved since Rishi Sunak became prime minister.  

Out words: good target

Dur: 03:37

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews is optimistic a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol concerns can be reached within the next couple of months.

EU Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič is due to meet the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Brussels today. Barry Andrews says the protocol’s contentious problems are “very resolvable”.  

Out words: be done

Dur: 00:29

The EU’s Brexit negotiator is due to meet the British Foreign Secretary today to try resolve concerns about the Northern Ireland protocol.

Maroš Šefčovič will meet James Cleverly in Brussels. The meeting comes amid reports that the UK’s Northern Ireland protocol bill has been put on ice to allow more time for negotiations on contentious Protocol issues. 

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says relations between the EU and the UK have improved since Rishi Sunak became British Prime Minister.

Out words: European Union

Dur: 00:16

The people of Ukraine including its president were today awarded the European Parliament’s annual prize that honours those defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In a ceremony in Strasbourg, the Sakharov prize was given to representatives of Ukraine who were present in the European Parliament. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Parliament by video. During his speech he held a minute’s silence for all the Ukrainian men, women, children, military and civilians who have been killed in the war.

Well Karen Coleman (EuroParlRadio) met Barry Andrews in the European Parliament and talked to him about the award to the Ukrainian people.

Out words: really positive

Dur: 01:48

The people of Ukraine including its president, were today awarded the European Parliament’s annual prize that honours those defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In a ceremony in Strasbourg, the Sakharov prize was given to representatives of Ukraine who were present in the European Parliament. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Parliament by video. During his speech he held a minute’s silence for all the Ukrainian men, women, children, military and civilians who have been killed in the war.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says the award reflects the EU’s ongoing support of Ukraine during these difficult times.  

Out words: extremely strong

Dur: 00:22

The growing scandal involving a Greek MEP and other people in allegations of bribery and corruption have left the European Parliament reeling.

MEPs this week voted to strip Eva Kaili of her position as one of the vice-presidents of the Parliament. Ms Kaili was arrested with three others on suspicion of accepting bribes from Qatar which has been accused of trying to buy influence in Europe.

EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman caught up with Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and talked to her about the spiralling scandal.

Out words: that report

Dur: 04:11

The growing scandal involving a Greek MEP and other people in allegations of bribery and corruption have left the European Parliament reeling.

MEPs this week voted to strip Eva Kaili of her position as one of the vice-presidents of the Parliament. Ms Kaili was arrested with three others on suspicion of accepting bribes from Qatar which has been accused of trying to buy influence in Europe.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune gave her reaction to the spiralling scandal.

Out words: for reporting

Dur: 00:40

Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey says farmers in Ireland should be able to benefit from excess energy produced from solar panels on their farm buildings. He was commenting on EU rules that prevent farmers from selling surplus energy to the national grid if it comes from certain grant-aided solar panels.

The Fine Gael MEP says moves are underway to try to get those rules changed. Karen Coleman (EuroParlRadio editor) spoke to Colm Markey about the current rules and the efforts to change them.

Out words: the system

Dur: 01:39