EU News Radio

Europe must hold fast to values - Tánaiste

The success of far right and populist parties in Europe must not undermine EU values of rule of law and human rights – that’s according to the Tánaiste. Extremist parties made significant gains in the European elections, particularly in France, Germany and Italy. Speaking at a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg this morning, Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, warned that the EU must not ignore the signs and should hold strong to core values.

Out words: Maintain those values

Dur: 00’27”

Europe should focus on growth - Donohoe

The EU has been successful in bringing inflation down but work continues – that’s the message from Paschal Donohoe. Annual inflation rose to 2.6 per cent in the euro area last month, up 0.2 per cent on the previous month, according to data from Eurostat. That could be a cause for concern for economists. But speaking ahead of a meeting of Euro area finance ministers in Luxembourg this afternoon, the President of the Eurogroup, and Irish minister, Paschal Donohoe, was upbeat. He is urging the EU to focus on economic growth.

 

Out words: years ahead

Dur: 00’18”

CAP vital says outgoing Agriculture Commissioner

The Common Agricultural Policy is vital for Europe – that’s the message from Commissioner Wojciechowski as he prepares to leave office. Representatives from all over Europe are meeting in Brussels to discuss the future of the CAP. Following the European elections, a new European Commissioner for Agriculture will be selected in the coming months. Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has been in charge of the farming brief for the past five years. He says leaders must recognise how essential the Common Agricultural Policy is for the EU.  

 

Out words: And every citizen

Dur: 1’28”

Taoiseach arrives in Brussels for talks on EU 'top jobs'

Ireland’s next European Commissioner will come from Fianna Fáil, the Taoiseach has confirmed. Simon Harris has just arrived in the European Council where heads of state and governments will discuss the EU top jobs tonight over dinner. The lead candidate for the centre-right EPP, and incumbent, Ursula von der Leyen is in pole position to keep her job as European Commission President. But Simon Harris said the EU27 will need to achieve a careful balance with the other roles – president of the European Council, parliament, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief – to take into account the recent European election results.

Korea re-opens beef market to Ireland & France – EC

Irish beef producers will once again be able to export beef to the Republic of Korea following the removal of local restrictions on EU beef. In 2001, the Korean market was closed to beef imports from 15 EU Member States due to outbreaks of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy).

Korea re-opened its market to EU beef from Denmark and the Netherlands in 2019. And now that’s being extended to France and Ireland. The Republic of Korea is one of the biggest import markets for beef in the world.  Speaking today through an interpreter, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill announced news of the trade barriers being lifted.

Out words: eliminated

Dur: 00:17

Farmers “core’’ players in winning EU Natura 2000 project

Farmers played a “core” role in an Irish project that’s just won an EU Natura 2000 award.  That’s according to Derek McLoughlin, the Project Manager of the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project.

The Wild Atlantic Nature project is funded by the EU LIFE programme. It aims to develop capacity among farmers to deliver improved ecosystem services by directly linking farmers’ agri-environment payments, to the ecological condition of their land. The project was found to have delivered “an extremely convincing demonstration of how farmers can be paid fairly and effectively to protect Natura 2000 sites and habitats”. Here's Derek McLoughlin.

Out words: and so on

Dur: 00:22

Old farm buildings restoration scheme an EU winner

An Irish scheme to restore traditional farm buildings has won a 2024 European Heritage award. The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Its aim is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional Irish farm buildings and to ensure they are conserved for agricultural use.

Anna Meenan, from the Heritage Council, is the scheme’s Programme Manager. She explains what kind of grants are given under the scheme.

Out words: all covered

Dur: 00:45

Traditional farm buildings scheme wins EU award

An Irish project to restore traditional farm buildings has won a 2024 European Heritage award. The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Its aim is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional Irish farm buildings and to ensure they are conserved for agricultural use.

Anna Meenan, from the Heritage Council, is the scheme’s Programme Manager. She explains what kind of farm buildings are eligible for grants under the scheme.  

Out words: the farm

Dur: 00:50

EU to raise “grave concerns” with Israel - Martin

EU foreign ministers want to convene a meeting of the EU-Israeli Association Council to seek a response from Israel regarding provisional orders by the International Court of Justice. That’s according to Micheál Martin who was speaking in Brussels today.

Last week the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. And it reiterated calls on Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza. Last night Israel struck a refugee camp in Rafah that reportedly left dozens dead.  Mr Martin described the attack as “barbaric”.

Out words: safe zone

Dur: 00:20

“Very clear” EU Consensus on Israel heeding ICJ ruling – Martin

The Tánaiste says there’s “very clear” consensus at an EU level that Israel needs to adhere to recent orders by the International Court of Justice. Last week the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. And it reiterated calls on Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Micheál Martin was speaking in Brussels following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Out words: in Rafah

Dur: 00:28