This week Mick, Clare, Damien and special guest Aoife are discussing: food and fuel scarcity resulting from the war, a recent survey on opinions in Europe which found that a majority of European citizens favour peace over punishing Russia, this week's vote on the sustainable finance taxonomy and the reconvening of the EU- Catalunya dialogue.

It’s been a busy week in Strasbourg. Mick, Clare and Damien discuss a vote on an important climate change file - Fit for ’55 which collapsed this week after it was watered down beyond recognition by some of the far-right groups in the EP. We also discuss the war in Ukraine and the fact that the most right-wing elements in the Parliament are shaping EU policy in that area. We also chat about Michael Martin’s visit to Strasbourg and his address to the Parliament. Finally, the World Food Program in Afghanistan and their shortfall in resources to feed the hungry there.

This week on the podcast we're discussing the latest in the European Parliament.

First the EU Taxonomy for sustainable investments and the repercussions of classifying gas and nuclear as "sustainable". We also discuss increasing militarism with Denmark's decision to become involved in European Defence and moves by Sweden and Finland towards NATO membership; migration and the decision to give FRONTEX, the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency lethal weapons for the first time; Irish fishers' visit to Brussels and the changes they are fighting for; finally an answer we received to a question on the legal feasibility of Frances Black's Occupied Territories Bill.

3 months into the war in Ukraine nothing has changed and everything has. This week we’re discussing media coverage of the war and access for journalists, global increases in military spending, the war being fought on the level of narrative and information, NATO expansion, and the International Criminal Court.

A few weeks back Mick and Clare were interviewed on Think For Yourself with Ewan MacKenna.

They discuss the war in Ukraine and the debunk some of the accusations that have been levelled at them by the Irish media.

This week we're discussing the changing dynamics of the war in Ukraine and the international community’s response along with the insulated world of the media.

Also covered is a recent event we hosted in the Parliament about the criminalisation of migrants and legal discussion the trials of Akif Razuli and Amir Zahiri. A school from Dublin and humanitarian activists all took part in the panel and highlighted the selective humanitarianism of the EU.

The housing crisis in Ireland features in this episode upon a recent virtual visit from Paschal Donohoe to Brussels. We tackle the financialisation of the housing market and explore how investor interests are prioritised over the concerns of the ordinary people.

Finally, we touch on the current state of the JCPOA and the other forces at play relating to nuclear weapons in Iran.

This week Daly and Wallace are back in Strasbourg and they're discussing all that went on at this week's plenary.

First a debate on the impact the war in Ukraine will have on the EU economy as well as some recent comments Pope Francis made about the war which sound very familiar...

We also discuss the rule of law enforcement mechanism the EU is using in Poland and Hungary, World Press Freedom Day and the EU's selectivity when it comes to which journalistic voices should be part of a free press, proposals to address the democratic deficit in the EU, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on women and children.

This week we’re discussing: the impact EU membership has had on Irish fishing and the changes that need to happen; the revolving doors phenomenon between the EU institutions and lobbying organisations; new attempts to regulate the environmental and human rights impact of corporations, military transport, and finally EU plans to switch to LNG gas.

This week Mick and Clare discuss their recent trip to Lesvos for the trial of Amir Zahiri & Akif Razuli, the asylum seekers in prison in Greece, charged with people smuggling. Their appeal has been postponed, yet again, meaning eight more months before they can challenge their sentence.

We're also discussing Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, and their involvement in migrant pushbacks, Irish neutrality, sanctions on Afghanistan, and the need to investigate war crimes in Ukraine.

Mick and Clare were interviewed by Joanne Leon on Around the Empire this week.

We discussed the war in Ukraine, sanctions, flooding the war with more arms and how all of these things lead to more war and destruction, not peace.

To hear more from Around the Empire follow @aroundtheempire and @joanneleon or visit https://aroundtheempire.com/