EU News Radio

Increase future CAP budget for bigger asks of farmers – McConalogue

The budget of the next Common Agricultural Policy needs to be increased to reflect the extra burdens farmers face because of EU laws and regulations.

That’s according to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue who was speaking in Brussels this morning ahead of a meeting of EU Agriculture and Fisheries ministers. Farmers protested again in the Belgian capital today against global trade deals, EU red tape and burdensome environmental laws.

Out words: of years

Dur: 00:43

Balanced approach on CAP “really important” - McConalogue

EU Agriculture ministers will today discuss the pressures farmers are facing across the EU and the crisis in the agriculture sector. The meeting is taking place in Brussels where farmers protested again this morning against global trade deals, EU red tape and burdensome environmental laws.

Speaking in Brussels this morning,  Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, said there needs to be a “balanced approach” to how the Common Agricultural Policy is implemented.

Out words: they’re showing

Dur: 00:21

Ireland’s rise in road fatalities a reminder to “exercise caution” – EU

EU road safety figures show an average of thirty five people per one million inhabitants were killed in road deaths in Ireland last year. And the number of people who lost their lives in road crashes in Ireland has risen steadily since 2019. The European Commission figures show the safest roads in the bloc are in Sweden and Denmark. While Bulgaria and Romania have the highest road fatality rates.

Over twenty thousand people (20,400) were killed in road crashes in the EU last year. And few member states are on track to meet the EU and UN target of halving the number of road deaths by 2030. Jonathan Claridge, from the European Commission’s representation in Ireland, says the figures show a “worrying picture” for Ireland.

Out words: the roads

Dur: 00:15

Road fatalities, highest rise in Ireland – EU

Ireland experienced the highest rise in road fatalities in Europe over the last four years. That’s according to figures just published by the European Commission. Since 2019, the number of road deaths has risen in Ireland with an average of thirty five deaths per one million inhabitants last year.  However, Ireland remains among the countries with the best road safety records in Europe.

The figures show the safest roads in the bloc are in Sweden and Denmark. While Bulgaria and Romania have the highest fatality rates. Jonathan Claridge, from the European Commission’s representation in Ireland, says the figures show a “worrying picture” for Ireland.

Out words: bad trend

Dur: 00:18

Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor ship on way – von der Leyen

A ship carrying badly needed humanitarian aid is on its way from Cyprus to Northern Gaza. That’s according to the President of the European Commission.

This morning Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament the ship will make its way along a sea corridor from Cyprus to Gaza. She said the vessel is carrying food for a population “that faces a humanitarian catastrophe”.

Out words: cannot be

Dur: 00:13

 

 

Farmers know we’re listening - McGuinness

The EU is listening and reacting to concerns from farmers, says Mairead McGuinness. In recent months, hundreds of farmers across Europe have taken part in demonstrations. Environmental rules, cheap imports from Ukraine and cost of living pressures are some of the reasons farmers are unhappy, according to the unions. The Irish Farmers Association has warned about a “mounting frustration” in agriculture here too. European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, says the EU is asking member states to “lighten to burden” on farmers.
 
Out words: your answer
Dur: 01:07

McGuinness urges Ireland to plant more trees

Ireland needs to plant more trees. That’s the message from Mairead McGuinness. According to the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Statistics, Ireland was planting around 20,000 trees per year in the mid 1990s, but by 2022 it was down to around 2,000 new trees. The EU has committed to planting three billion trees across Europe by 2030. Speaking after a tree planting in Kilternan, European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, said she wants to see Ireland go much further.
 
Out words: Absolutely need
Dur: 00:21

EU fines Apple €1.8 billion for music streaming restrictions

Apple has been fined €1.84 billion by the EU for restricting music streaming. The European Commission believes Apple has abused its dominant position. Consumers were forced to pay more than they should have for music streaming apps, the EU has concluded. The fine amounts to 0.5 per cent of Apple’s worldwide turnover. European Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, says Apple’s actions were illegal and European consumers lost out as a result.

 

Out words: European consumers

Dur: 00:21

Kinsale students compete in EU debating prize

Eight transition year students from Kinsale Community school, will debate future EU enlargement in a nationwide competition at Dublin Castle today.

The students will participate in a simulation of a meeting of the Council of the European Union. Each of the 27 EU Member States is represented by a team of 3 students from Irish secondary schools. The idea is to give students in Ireland the opportunity to debate EU topics in a European-style setting. Fiona Hedderman, a teacher with Kinsale Community School, says it’s crucial Irish students take part in these kind of European events.

Out words: as well

Dur: 00:29

Cork students debate future EU enlargement at Dublin Castle

Students from Kinsale Community School will compete in a debating competition on future EU enlargement at Dublin Castle tomorrow (Friday). The eight transition year students will participate in a simulation of a meeting of the Council of the European Union.

The idea is to give students in Ireland the opportunity to debate EU topics in a European-style setting. The winning team will travel with their class, to Strasbourg in October where they’ll become MEPs for a day in the European Parliament. Fiona Hedderman, a teacher at Kinsale Community School, says the event is a great opportunity for the young school goers.  

Out words: of life

Dur: 00:13