EU News Radio

Traditional Irish producers encouraged to seek special EU status

Producers of authentic food and drink products are being encouraged to seek special EU quality marks that would help promote their products and fight off competition. During this week’s Ploughing Championships, the European Commission will be raising awareness of the EU’s Geographical Indications programme. It awards quality marks to special produce. Three thousand (3,000) products across the EU have a GI (Geographical Indication) quality mark, but only thirteen (13)of these are Irish.

Helen Kearns, Head of Communications at the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, is encouraging people to visit their tent at the Championships to find out more about getting a GI quality mark.

Out words: all around

Dur: 00:38

Increasing protected products EU focus at Ploughing Championships

The European Commission will use its presence at the Ploughing Championships to encourage authentic food and drinks producers to seek protected EU quality marks known as Geographical Indications.  Ireland has only 13 traditional food and drink products covered by various EU quality mark programmes. This compares to the likes of Slovenia which has forty six (46) and newest EU member Croatia with seventy six (76) protected products. Ireland’s GI products include Connemara Hill Lamb, Waterford Blaa, Sneem Black Pudding and Irish Grass Fed Beef.

Helen Kearns, Head of Communications at the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, says getting a Geographical Indication can be hugely beneficial.

Out words: everybody gains

Dur: 00:45

Apple billions “must be released to the Irish state” – Vestager

Billions of euro paid by tech giant Apple, that’s been held in an escrow account, must now “be released to the Irish State”. That’s according to the EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. She made the comments following this morning’s judgement by the EU’s highest court confirming the commission’s original 2016 decision, that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which it’s now required to recover. 

Out words: Irish State

Dur: 00:33

Apple ruling a “big win” – EU’s Vestager

Today’s ruling by the EU’s highest court on Apple vindicates the European Commission’s decision that the tech giant owed billions in unpaid taxes to the Irish state. In 2016 the commission decided that companies belonging to the Apple Group had received tax advantages that constituted State aid granted by Ireland. But Apple and the Irish government challenged that decision. And in 2020, the EU’s lower court ruled in their favour. However, the commission appealed that ruling.

And today, the European Court of Justice issued a final judgement confirming the commission’s original decision that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which it’s now required to recover. The EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, today said the ECJ’s ruling was a big win.

Out words: is final

Dur: 00:20

Only 4 of world’s top 50 tech companies European – Draghi report

Europe has to change radically to enable it to grow and become more productive. That’s  according to a new report on the Future of European Competitiveness published today. The report says Europe must “profoundly refocus” its collective efforts on closing the innovation gap with the US and China, especially in advanced technologies. According to the report’s author, former ECB President Mario Draghi, only four of the world’s top 50 tech companies are European. Speaking today, he said since 2008, almost thirty percent of Europe’s “most successful” innovation companies left Europe with most heading to the US.

Out words: digital tech

Dur: 00:14        

EU economic growth “persistently slower’ than US – Draghi report

EU economic growth has been “persistently slower than in the US over the past two decades, while China has been rapidly catching up”. That’s according to a new report on the Future of European Competitiveness published today. The report presents what it’s calling “a new industrial strategy for Europe” based around three main areas for action.

Speaking today in Brussels, the author of the report, former ECB president Mario Draghi, said Europe was stuck in a static industrial structure.

Out words: European Union

Dur: 00:16

Irish scientists win prestigious EU funding

Seven scientific projects in Ireland have won EU funding worth €11.1 million. One of the two project to win money for Trinity College Dublin will work on probing the atmospheres of exoplanets in deep space; researchers at the University of Galway will look at ways of “trapping and killing” brain cancers, according to their proposal; whilst at University College Cork, scientists want to challenge skin colour bias in medical equipment. Marcin Mońko from the European Research Council, which is responsible for selecting the best projects, says these are scientists doing cutting edge work.

 

Out words: Of our knowledge

Dur: 00’15”

Farmers need “decent income” - influential EU report

The EU will follow up on wide-ranging recommendations on agriculture, the President of the European Commission has promised. The report authored by NGOs, farming and environmental groups was commissioned in the wake of widespread protests by farmers across Europe, including Ireland, earlier this year. The report, published this morning, makes a raft of recommendations. At its heart is the premise that the Common Agricultural Policy should “prevent farm abandonment and help ensure that farmers can have a decent income”. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, says the findings will help shape her “Vision for Agriculture and Food” which she has promised to deliver within the first 100 days of her new mandate.

 

Out words: That cannot be

Dur: 00’52”

EU membership when ‘aspirations match deeds’

Countries will be able to join the EU once their “aspirations are matched by their deeds”, Ursula von der Leyen told Balkan leaders this afternoon. The President of the European Commission has been speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia. She told the conference it was a “moment of fracture for the world” as she urged the EU’s neighbours to get on with reforms if they want to join the European Union soon. The closer they get to meeting the terms of accession, the more cash they will receive, she promised.

 

Out words: By their deeds

Dur: 00’19”

Ireland urged to reduce litigation costs - EU

The need to address the high cost of taking legal action in Ireland was highlighted again in the EU’s 2024 Rule of Law report published today. In it, the European Commission urged Ireland to “take forward the necessary legislative work” to reduce litigation costs to ensure effective access to justice. 

Speaking this morning, the European Commission vice-president Vera Jourova said the ongoing scrutiny of the Rule of Law in each EU country will continue in the future.

Out words: some countries 

Dur: 00:12