Martin Banks

Martin Banks is a senior reporter at the Parliament Magazine

New European Parliament Animal Transport Committee to investigate whether EU has failed to properly implement welfare rules
25 Sep Agriculture & Food
New European Parliament Animal Transport Committee to investigate whether EU has failed to properly implement welfare rules
Inquiry Committee chair Tilly Metz says goal is to deliver better implementation and stricter controls between Member States.
Transnational lists and lead candidates only way to bring ‘European dimension’ to MEP elections says Danny Cohn-Bendit
25 Sep EU Institutions
Transnational lists and lead candidates only way to bring ‘European dimension’ to MEP elections says Danny Cohn-Bendit
Former MEP tells CONT Committee there’s urgent need to bring back democratic dimension to European elections.
EU's new Migration Pact draws mixed reactions from MEPs and NGOs
24 Sep Justice
EU's new Migration Pact draws mixed reactions from MEPs and NGOs
The Pact, unveiled on Wednesday, is the Commission’s flagship initiative to create a comprehensive plan for managing migration.
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
23 Sep International & Trade
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
The Committee is, among others, tasked with “thoroughly analysing” claims that rules in recent elections, including last year’s European poll, were breached or circumvented.
Even if Coronavirus vaccine found it will not be ‘magic bullet’, warns health expert
23 Sep Health
Even if Coronavirus vaccine found it will not be ‘magic bullet’, warns health expert
Fergus Sweeney, Head of Clinical Studies and Manufacturing Task Force at the European Medicines Agency, was speaking in the European Parliament on Tuesday.
UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October
22 Sep International & Trade
UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October
The comments to this website come despite growing pessimism about the prospect of an agreement being thrashed out in time for the October deadline set by the EU.
FinCEN leaks a ‘wake-up call’ as new tax fraud committee gears up to start work
22 Sep Industry & Finance
FinCEN leaks a ‘wake-up call’ as new tax fraud committee gears up to start work
The revelations of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists focus on the alleged failure of major international banks and supervisors to combat money laundering.
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
21 Sep International & Trade
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
Speaking in the European Parliament on Monday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, “We need your support.”
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
21 Sep International & Trade
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
German EPP member David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said that “nobody should underestimate the practical, economic and social consequences of a No Deal scenario.”
EU unveils long-awaited action plan to tackle racism
18 Sep EU Institutions
EU unveils long-awaited action plan to tackle racism
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli says EU needs to ‘turn the tide’ on racism and racial discrimination.
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
18 Sep International & Trade
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
Ursula von der Leyen says UK should remember that Margaret Thatcher once said the UK does not break treaties as it would be bad for Britain and bad for trade.
EU to appoint first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator
18 Sep EU Institutions
EU to appoint first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator
European Commission president announces new measures including an Anti-Racism Action Plan.
Von der Leyen ups ante on EU emission cuts
18 Sep Industry & Finance
Von der Leyen ups ante on EU emission cuts
European Commission president plans to increase the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target to at least 55 percent has been met with a mixed response from environmentalists and industry.
MEPs stand in rainbow-hued solidarity with Polish LGBTI community
16 Sep Justice
MEPs stand in rainbow-hued solidarity with Polish LGBTI community
The solidarity action in front of the European Parliament on Tuesday comes against a backdrop of mounting pressure on the EU to trigger an unprecedented mechanism against Poland that would effectively suspend its EU membership.
Ursula von der Leyen sets out Commission’s plans for “Europe to lead the way to a new vitality”
16 Sep EU Institutions
Ursula von der Leyen sets out Commission’s plans for “Europe to lead the way to a new vitality”
In her first State of the Union address to MEPs, the Commission President said such “vitality” contrasted with the current “fragility” of the world, highlighted by the ongoing health crisis.
Greens MEP calls for urgent action to help migrants made homeless after Moria fire
15 Sep Justice
Greens MEP calls for urgent action to help migrants made homeless after Moria fire
Speaking direct from Lesbos on Tuesday, Erik Marquardt said that many of the 13,000 migrants and refugees have been forced to sleep rough on the streets after a devastating fire tore through the Moria camp.
Socialist leader lambasts Boris Johnson over failure to comply with international law
15 Sep International & Trade
Socialist leader lambasts Boris Johnson over failure to comply with international law
On Monday, the British House of Commons voted on a controversial new bill published by the government. MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.
EU foreign affairs chief: Europe faces threat from three ‘re-emerging empires’
15 Sep International & Trade
EU foreign affairs chief: Europe faces threat from three ‘re-emerging empires’
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Josep Borrell said the three resurgent “empires” were Russia, China and Turkey.
MEPs join forces to outline series of demands to salvage Withdrawal Agreement
14 Sep International & Trade
MEPs join forces to outline series of demands to salvage Withdrawal Agreement
Irish MEP Barry Andrews has teamed up with fellow deputies in demanding that the EU “makes clear that it will not tolerate” any breach of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Commission President gears up for first “State of the European Union” address
14 Sep EU Institutions
Commission President gears up for first “State of the European Union” address
On Wednesday Ursula von der Leyen will outline the impact of the Commission’s work in mitigating the COVID-19 health and economic crisis and present her vision for recovery and the fight against climate change.
Brexit talks on brink of collapse as war of words intensifies
11 Sep International & Trade
Brexit talks on brink of collapse as war of words intensifies
The EU says trust between Brussels and London has been “seriously damaged” after the UK passed legislation this week that overrides the Withdrawal Agreement.
Commuting death sentences of Jamal Khashoggi’s killers a ‘travesty’, say MEPs and NGO
11 Sep Justice
Commuting death sentences of Jamal Khashoggi’s killers a ‘travesty’, say MEPs and NGO
European Parliament President ‘deeply worried’ at prospect of No Deal Brexit
10 Sep International & Trade
European Parliament President ‘deeply worried’ at prospect of No Deal Brexit
David Sassoli was speaking following a meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the eighth round of talks draw to a close, seemingly with no sign of progress on issues like state aid, fisheries and the level playing field.
Row flares in European Parliament over devastating Moria fire
10 Sep Justice
Row flares in European Parliament over devastating Moria fire
The blaze ripped through the Moria migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday, with another fire wiping out any remaining tents on Wednesday.
European Parliament President cancels Strasbourg plenary amid COVID-19 concerns
09 Sep EU Institutions
European Parliament President cancels Strasbourg plenary amid COVID-19 concerns
David Sassoli has ruled that next week’s plenary will now take place in Brussels and not in Strasbourg as planned.
Former European Parliament President and Vice-President condemn UK’s current Brexit stance
09 Sep International & Trade
Former European Parliament President and Vice-President condemn UK’s current Brexit stance
The attack on Wednesday by Pat Cox and Edward McMillan-Scott, comes on the day the British government publishes plans for policing trade between different parts of the country from 2021.
Mairead McGuinness appointment as Ireland’s next EU commissioner widely welcomed
08 Sep EU Institutions
Mairead McGuinness appointment as Ireland’s next EU commissioner widely welcomed
Ireland loses the coveted trade portfolio following the recent resignation of Phil Hogan as trade commissioner, but McGuinness has been offered the financial services portfolio.
European Parliament under pressure to reverse decision to hold plenary in Strasbourg
08 Sep EU Institutions
European Parliament under pressure to reverse decision to hold plenary in Strasbourg
MEPs from across the political divide are imploring Parliament’s authorities to hold the session in Brussels instead due to concerns about the ongoing health crisis.
UK close to becoming ‘rogue state’ after ‘reneging’ on Withdrawal Agreement, says Greens co-leader
08 Sep International & Trade
UK close to becoming ‘rogue state’ after ‘reneging’ on Withdrawal Agreement, says Greens co-leader
Philippe Lamberts has sparked fury after he asked in an interview if the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, should trust the words of the British negotiators.
5G and AI: a smart strategy
08 Sep
5G and AI: a smart strategy
These technologies are strategic opportunities that will help Europe’s rural areas, as well as its cities, move forward, reports Martin Banks.
Commission President interviews Ireland’s two commissioner candidates
07 Sep EU Institutions
Commission President interviews Ireland’s two commissioner candidates
Mairead McGuinness and Andrew McDowell have been nominated by the Irish government as candidates to fill the role recently vacated by Phil Hogan after the “Golfgate” scandal.
EU leaders condemn poisoning of Russian opposition leader
03 Sep Justice
EU leaders condemn poisoning of Russian opposition leader
The apparent assassination attempt on an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin is proving another key test for the EU and the West on its stance towards Russia.
Senior MEP expresses concern over ‘lack of real progress’ in deadlocked Brexit talks
03 Sep International & Trade
Senior MEP expresses concern over ‘lack of real progress’ in deadlocked Brexit talks
Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, strongly tipped to be Ireland’s next EU commissioner, says she is dismayed by the failure to make more headway in the negotiations.
Irish MEP Frances Fitzgerald sets out stall to become Ireland’s next EU commissioner
03 Sep EU Institutions
Irish MEP Frances Fitzgerald sets out stall to become Ireland’s next EU commissioner
The role has become vacant after Phil Hogan stood down as Trade Commissioner over the so-called “Golfgate” scandal in which he was said to have broken Coronavirus quarantine rules in Ireland.
EU warns Hungary not to discriminate against EU citizens during ongoing health crisis
02 Sep Health
EU warns Hungary not to discriminate against EU citizens during ongoing health crisis
The move comes after Hungary imposed travel restrictions on foreigners on Tuesday.
‘Vital’ schools reopen as soon as possible, EU disease prevention chief tells MEPs
02 Sep Health
‘Vital’ schools reopen as soon as possible, EU disease prevention chief tells MEPs
School closures should be the ‘last measure you take’ to fight COVID-19, says Dr Andrea Ammon.