EU can’t dictate Repeal the 8th laws – Clune

Ireland’s decision on whether or not to repeal the eighth amendment should not be up for discussion in the EU. That’s the warning from the Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune. She was speaking ahead of a debate today in the European Parliament on attempts by the Polish government to make stringent abortion and reproductive health laws even more restrictive. Thousands of women in Poland have demonstrated against the proposal. And their protests echo similar campaigns in Ireland to repeal the eighth amendment which equates the right to life of a pregnant woman with that of an embryo or foetus.Deirdre Clune says Ireland alone should decide on its abortion laws.

Out words: government

Dur: 0.23

EU cannot interfere with abortion laws – Clune

Abortion laws are a matter for national governments and are not the business of the EU. So says the Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune. She was speaking in the European Parliament where MEPs today will debate attempts by the Polish government to clamp down on abortion rights in Poland.The Polish government is trying to push through a bill that would make all abortions illegal, with prison terms of up to 5 years for women who have terminations. However,the Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says the EU should not interfere in domestic abortion laws.

Out words: themselves

Dur: 0.18

Give free rail tickets to young Europeans to boost enthusiasm for Europe – Hayes

MEPs in the European Parliament want to give free inter-rail passes to young Europeans to boost their enthusiasm for Europe.They’re suggesting eighteen (18)-year olds should be given a free return inter-rail pass so that they can travel around Europe and enjoy themselves.  The idea was first mooted a couple of weeks ago by Manfred Weber, the leader of the European Parliament’s main politicalgroup – the EPP [European People’s Party].  The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes, who’s in the same group, says such a move would help counter all of the negative news coming from the EU at the moment.

Out words: in it

Dur: 00:25