EU News Radio

McGrath vows to strengthen online child safety

Protecting the safety of children online will be a key priority for the Irish EU Presidency. Over the next six months, the government will seek to drive EU legislation to ensure the online world is a safe and healthy space for kids. Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says “we need to do more to make the online environment safer for children”. 

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EU presidency “brilliant opportunity” to showcase Ireland - McGrath

PUBLISHED: 1st July, 2026

Ireland’s EU presidency begins today (Wednesday July 1) and will last until the end of the year. Over the next six months Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreements between Member States, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than four hundred and fifty million people.

This will be the eighth time the country has held the rotating presidency. The last one was in 2013. Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath says it’s a “fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that Ireland has to offer”. 

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EU faces “multiple” & “varied” threats - McGrath

Ireland is “well placed” to ensure a “coordinated approach” is taken on security and defence during its EU Presidency. That’s the view of Ireland’s European Commissioner, Michael McGrath.

Strengthening European security and defence is a priority for Ireland during its EU presidency which starts on Wednesday, Commissioner McGrath says the bloc faces many types of security threats. 

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Deal on EU budget “major political challenge” for Ireland - McGrath

Ireland takes over the presidency of the Council of the EU on Wednesday. It will be responsible for steering decisions within the bloc over the next six months. Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath says securing a deal on the EU’s seven-year budget will be a major challenge for the government during its presidency. 

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“High expectations” of Irish EU Presidency - McGrath

Brussels has “high expectations” of Ireland’s forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. That’s according to EU Commissioner Michael McGrath. Ireland takes over the EU presidency on Wednesday as Europe faces multiple challenges. They include the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, high energy prices, climate change and the EU’s ability to retain global competitiveness.

Commissioner McGrath says Ireland will play a critical role over the next six months. 

Dur: 00:20

EU unveils plans to simplify tax rules

Plans to simplify EU tax rules and reduce compliance burdens for businesses were unveiled by the European Commission today. The Commission says its “ambitious package” will simplify tax rules, reduce unnecessary burdens and make the EU more attractive from an investment and growth perspective. 

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra says companies across the EU are calling for rules that are simpler, faster, smarter and that enable them to thrive on the global stage. 

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Cybercrime costing EU trillions annually - EU

The European Commission is calling for a range of measures to tackle cross-border crime and terrorism across the EU.

According to the Commission, the European security environment is becoming more complex, more sophisticated and increasingly more digital. Speaking this morning, European Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen outlined the scale of cybercrime across the bloc.  

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EU calls for swift implementation of online age verification tool

Excessive screen time and social media use are some of the main reasons behind the youth mental health crisis Europe faces today. That’s according to the EU’s Youth Commissioner Glenn Micallef, who was speaking in the European Parliament this morning.

MEPs are calling for the introduction of a minimum age limit of sixteen (16) for access to social media. And they want better protection of victims of online harassment and stronger EU action to increase the responsibility of online platforms. This morning Commissioner Micallef outlined how the EU’s Digital Services Act is enabling the protection of minors online including its age verification app. 

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Neutrality doesn’t “provide immunity” from threats – Kallas Dublin

EU foreign policy boss Kaja Kallas says Ireland’s commitment to increase its defence spending by fifty five percent (55%) by 2030 sends a clear signal that it’s “stepping up”.  But she warned, EU countries cannot afford complacency when it comes to defence against Russian interference. And she said, greater investment in maritime capabilities, is essential to keep EU countries safe.  

Ms Kallas was speaking in Dublin following a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee.

Dur: 00:14

No EU products should end up in weapons that kill Ukrainians – Kallas

The EU’s foreign policy chief says she discussed reports that sanctioned Russian defence companies may be benefiting from “significant volumes of Irish aluminium imports” during her trip to Dublin today. Kaja Kallas was speaking after meeting Minister Helen McEntee.

She was referring to reports that the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick is supplying alumina to Russia where it’s ending up in Russian arms manufacturers. Ms Kallas said she is trusting the Irish government to investigate the allegations.

Dur: 00:17