An EU project to help young people find jobs is underfunded and is receiving mixed reaction on the ground. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg where MEPs debated the European Youth Initiative. It’s supposed to guarantee young people under 30 a job or some kind of education or apprenticeship within four months of becoming unemployed. But Marian Harkin says the scheme is receiving mixed reaction in Ireland where a pilot Youth Initiative scheme is being rolled on.

The Scottish referendum and its implications for the UK’s membership of the EU has been a hot topic of discussion among MEPs this week [Sept ’14] It’s not clear what would happen if Scotland votes for independence but opts to stay within the EU. And the British Prime Minister David Cameron is demanding a range of reforms to the EU which could transform Britain’s relationship with the 28-member Bloc. However, the Independent MEP Nessa Childers says the on-going confusion over the UK’s future within the EU is difficult.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg this week linked live to the Ukrainian Parliament so the vote on the EU-Ukraine Association agreement could be ratified simultaneously. The agreement aims to foster increased co-operation in EU-Ukraine relations in areas such as economic reform and recovery, energy, transport and environment. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly said it was a privilege to be part of what he called an historic occasion.