I4C Trouble with Daly and Wallace

In an episode recorded on the last day before the summer recess, which seems like a lifetime ago now, Clare and Mick discuss the controversy in Ireland over Barry Cowen's dismissal by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. They review the hearing for the candidate for the head of the European Medicines Agency and recount their confrontation over increased military spending with the head of the European Defence Agency. Finally Clare addresses the recent landmark judgment of the Court of Justice on the Schrems II case, with huge implications for US tech giants in Ireland. Presented by Damien Thomson.

Germany has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Having had a chance to grill several German government ministers in committee hearings, Clare and Mick give us the lowdown on what to expect in the next six months of politics in Brussels. Presented by Damien Thomson.

Clare and Mick explain tough calls on haulier's rights this plenary week in the monolithic Mobility Package of legislation. Our MEPs discuss the successful completion of a progressive "Wallace Report" at the environment committee, recognizing how the climate crisis affects the Global South. Also: what is it with the European Parliament's obsesssion with regime change in Venezuela? What do Clare and Mick think of the new Irish cabinet? And what is Mick's book of the week? Presented by Damien Thomson.

As the moment of truth approaches for the formation of an Irish government back home, Clare and Mick discuss the enormous defence spending at the EU, the visit of the Director of the World Health Organisation to the environment committee to discuss COVID-19, the publication of the annual Europol Terrorism Report, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Hot on the heels of the June plenary Clare and Mick compare notes on the big votes of the week, including their motion on the Black Lives Matter movement, the EU-Israel Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement, and yet another human rights debate on Hong Kong. And, as the Green Party membership gears up to vote on whether to form a coalition with Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael, our MEPs get down to brass tacks with the joint Programme for Government. Is it the green revolution it's cracked up to be or is it a recipe for five more years of selling out?

Besides looking at arms exports in the security and defence committee and the environmental impacts of European agricultural policy, Clare and Mick speak about the uprisings against systemic racism stateside and worldwide, the murder of George Floyd, the brutal crackdowns by militarized police, and the poor response from the European Union's foreign affairs minister Josep Borrell.

As the lockdown gradually eases, the Commission is unveiling a hodgepodge of plans and work is furiously underway to scrutinize them all. Clare and Mick break down the highlights of a busy week at the European Parliament: state aid rules and bail outs; food sustainability and big farms; public private partnerships and corporate lobbying; how the EU enables the settlement of the Palestinian territories; the rule of law during the pandemic; and the EU's flawed COVID-19 economic recovery plan. Bonus content: how to make sure you find a partner at the dance.

Clare and Mick discuss European exceptionalism and the real values of the European project. What is going on with coronavirus tracking apps and why are they a threat to civil liberties? Why is the EU fast-tracking bailouts for airlines but overlooking workers rights? What is Europe doing in the Sahel region of Africa and why are the Irish Defence Forces involved? Tune in to find out, share, like and subscribe. Happy Europe Day!

Clare and Mick discuss parliamentary dress codes, propaganda efforts by the European External Action Service and the work they have been getting up to over the last week in their seven parliamentary committees.

In the eleventh episode, disability and autism activist Jane Johnston tells Clare and Mick how the pandemic has impacted carers and the people they care for, and gives her thoughts on what’s included in the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael joint framework document. Presented by Damien Thomson, political adviser to the GUE/NGL group. Thanks for listening! 👂