EU News Radio

Jørgensen: Energy crisis ‘bad’ even if peace tomorrow

Europe is facing a serious crisis that will last months and could stretch into years, the EU’s Energy Commissioner has warned. The European Commission has today unveiled a raft of new measures which it says are designed to try to protect households and businesses from price shocks and to be better prepared in light of the war in the Middle East. The plans include allowing member states, including Ireland, to use public money more flexibly without breaking EU state aid rules, and the setting up of a Fuel Observatory to track EU production and stock levels of jet fuel. European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, said it was about more than dealing with the current high prices. 

 

Out words: In the future

Dur: 0’23”

McEntee urges EU to suspend Israel deal

Helen McEntee will today call for the EU to suspend its agreement – including trade – with Israel. Minister McEntee is in Luxembourg for a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers where the situation in the Middle East is on the agenda. Over the weekend, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia penned a joint letter urging EU action in light of Israel’s military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon. Speaking in Luxembourg this morning, Helen McEntee said it was time the EU put real pressure on Israel by suspending its Association Agreement.

 

Out words: Their obligations too

Dur: 0’56”

EU’s McGrath to talk online regs with US tech bosses

Ireland’s EU Commissioner will discuss how to better protect consumers and children online when he meets US tech bosses during a trip to California this week. Michael McGrath says he will brief them on EU plans to improve protection for consumers with a particular focus on vulnerable minors and children.

Dur: 00:24

 

 

 

Hungary elections opportunity “to turn the page” - McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says the recent elections in Hungary show its people want the country to have “a better relationship” with the EU. And he says, he’s hoping the incoming new government of Péter Magyar, will “work cooperatively” with the EU to address Rule of Law issues. 

Hungary has been denied extensive EU funding over recent years because of rule of law breaches. 

Dur: 00:11

EU “working cooperatively” with Ireland on fuel measures - McGrath

Published 13/04/2026

The European Commission is "working cooperatively” with the Government in relation to the package of fuel support measures announced on Sunday. That’s according to EU Commissioner Michael McGrath who says the Commission services are now going through the proposals which include delays in imposing carbon tax increases. 

Mr McGrath says the EU is now working on a package of energy-related measures which will be brought forward next week that EU countries could deploy to help people and businesses. 

Dur: 00:26 

 

McGrath calls for ‘de-escalation’ of war in ME

Ireland’s EU Commissioner has called for a de-escalation of the war in the Middle East which he says is adding to the “severe human rights situation in Iran”. Michael McGrath was speaking last night in the European Parliament in Brussels. He told MEPs “de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue” must be the “compass” to prevent the conflict from spreading. 

Dur: 00:14

McGrath “strongly” condemns Iranian executions

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has condemned recent executions of four men in Iran. Last week Iran executed three men after accusing them of killing police officers during anti-government protests in January. Human rights groups say the men were executed without a fair trial and were forced to confess under torture. A fourth man who was also hanged, was found guilty of alleged espionage.

Last night Mr McGrath called on Iran to “refrain from using” capital punishment. He was speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Dur: 00:11

EU-Australia FTA to add €4bn to Europe GDP by 2030 – VDL

EU boss Ursula von Leyen says a new free trade deal between the EU and Australia will add billions of euro to Europe’s GDP by 2030. She was speaking in Sydney after the EU and Australia concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement after years of negotiations. According to the EU, the deal will remove over ninety nine percent (99%) of tariffs on EU exports to Australia. And the Commission says, it will lead to a thirty three percent (33%) increase in EU annual exports over the next decade.   

Dur: 00:22

Wars taking world closer to WW3 - Kallas

The EU’s foreign policy chief has warned the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are taking the world closer to a third world war. 

Kaja Kallas was speaking in the European Parliament today during an address to its Foreign Affairs Committee. She told the committee there is “clearly a connection between Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine and what is going on in the Middle East.” She warned both wars are products of “the erosion” of international law. And she said, without judicial or political accountability, the war will engulf the world once again. 

Dur: 00:30

10 days of war costing Europe billions in energy costs – VDL

Europe remains “vulnerable” and “dependent” as long as it continues to import a significant share of fossil fuels from unstable regions. That’s the view of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen who was speaking in the European Parliament this morning.  During a speech about the conflict in the Middle East, she outlined what she called “the price” of that energy dependence.   

Dur: 00:29