EU News Radio

Irish economy set to grow by 1.2% - EU

The Irish economy is set to expand this year with a predicted GDP growth rate of 1.2%. That’s according to the European Commission’s Spring Economic Forecast out today. It’s predicting headline inflation will continue to ease to 1.9% this year and 1.8% in 2025. According to the Commission, the Irish economy will see a GDP growth rate of 3.6% next year.

Speaking this morning in Brussels, the European Economy Commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni outlined the economic forecast for the EU as a whole.  

Out words: next year

Dur: 00:20

NI Rwanda Act ruling to be “carefully considered” – McGrath

Northern Ireland’s High-Court judgement on the UK’s Rwanda Act “adds further complexity” to an already very difficult and challenging situation. That’s according to Minister Michael McGrath who was speaking in Brussels this morning ahead of an EU ministerial meeting. Yesterday a Belfast High-Court judge ruled that provisions of the UK’s Illegal Migration Act should not apply in Northern Ireland because they breach human rights laws. Here’s Minister McGrath.

Out words: process yet

Dur: 00:20

Belfast Rwanda ruling “potential consequences” for Ireland – McGrath

The government will “carefully” consider Northern Ireland’s High-Court ruling on the UK’s Illegal Migration Act. That’s according to Finance Minister Michael McGrath, who was speaking in Brussels this morning ahead of an EU ministerial meeting.  Yesterday a Belfast High-Court judge ruled that provisions of the UK’s Illegal Migration Act should not apply in Northern Ireland because they breach human rights laws. Under the Act, the British government plans to send some illegal migrants on to Rwanda.

It recently emerged that the majority of asylum seekers entering Ireland, crossed the border from Northern Ireland. Minister McGrath says the ruling has “potential consequences” for Ireland.

Out words: to the Republic  

Dur: 00:24

Government being “kept abreast” of Intel development plans - McGrath

Finance Minister Michael McGrath says the government has been “kept abreast” of development plans in Ireland by the computer giant Intel. He was commenting on media reports that Intel is planning on developing a new multi-billion chip-making factory in Ireland. Minister McGrath was speaking in Brussels this morning ahead of an EU Economic and Financial Affairs Ministerial meeting.

Out words: so on

Dur: 00:22

Irish-Belgian music students perform for Europe Day in Dublin

Music students from Ireland and Belgium will celebrate Europe Day today by performing a special concert this evening at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. It will be broadcast live on RTÉ Lyric fm at 7pm. Here’s the head of the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, Barbara Nolan.

Out words: line-up

Dur: 00:29

“Get out and vote” urges EU Ireland boss

The head of the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland is urging people to go out and vote in the upcoming European elections. Both local and European elections will be held here on June the seventh (7^th). Barbara Nolan was speaking ahead of Europe Day (Thursday 9th May) which marks the anniversary of the nineteen fifty (1950) 'Schuman declaration' which set out the beginning of European integration and co-operation.

Out words: the world

Dur: 00:35

Celebrations to mark Europe day tomorrow – EU

People across the EU will celebrate Europe Day tomorrow with a range of activities planned. Europe Day is held on the ninth of May every year. It marks the anniversary of the nineteen fifty (1950) 'Schuman declaration' which set out the beginning of European integration and co-operation. Barbara Nolan, who heads the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, says EU membership has been transformative for the country.  

Out words: Irish society

Dur: 00:13

2004 enlargement shows EU an “enabler of peace” - Cox

The 2004 expansion of the European Union from fifteen to twenty five member states was “transformative”. And it shows the EU has been an “enabler of a sustained peace and reconciliation on the continent of Europe”. That’s according to the former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox. He was President of the Parliament when the EU welcomed in ten new member states twenty years ago today.

Out words: that peace

Dur: 00:18

Ireland gained from ’04 EU enlargement – Pat Cox

Ireland gained a lot from the 2004 EU enlargement which brought ten more countries into the bloc. That’s according to the former president of the European Parliament, Pat Cox. Today (May 1) marks the twentieth anniversary of the largest expansion in the EU’s history. Back then, ten states from Eastern and Central Europe along with Cyprus and Malta joined the Union. Ireland benefited from their membership according to Pat Cox.

Out words: own economy

Dur: 00:17

“Big Bang” EU enlargement “transformative” – Pat Cox

Twenty years ago tomorrow, ten countries from Eastern and Central Europe along with Malta and Cyprus, joined the EU. It was the biggest enlargement in the bloc’s history increasing its membership from fifteen (15) to twenty five (25) countries. Back in 2004, Irish man Pat Cox was the President of the European Parliament. Twenty years on, he says that EU expansion was “transformative”.

Out words: European history

Dur: 00:29