EU News Radio

European Commission defends reporting of Von der Leyen’s health

The European Commission this morning defended the way it’s been reporting the health status of EU boss Ursula von der Leyen. Last Friday a German news agency revealed the president had been in hospital in Hanover suffering from severe pneumonia. Her press office in Brussels has been criticised for not revealing earlier the president’s hospitalisation.

This morning Dr Von der Leyen’s Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho, defended the way they’ve been communicating the state of the president’s health.

Dur: 01:2

Von der Leyen “recovering well” from “severe pneumonia”

The President of the European Commission is recovering from “severe pneumonia” after spending around a week in a hospital in the German city of Hanover. This morning President von der Leyen’s spokesperson confirmed the EU boss has been dealing with “severe illness”.

But Paula Pinho said President Von der Leyen was in a position to keep business running by keeping in daily contact with her team and leaders.

Dur: 00:40

EU appeals for end of attacks on humanitarian workers in Gaza

The European Commission this morning appealed for attacks on humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip, to stop. The Commission was responding to statements yesterday by the UN’s relief chief Tom Fletcher who said their efforts to save lives in Gaza  “are at breaking point”. In his statement, Mr Fletcher condemned recent Israeli attacks on a food distribution point in Gaza and on “a clearly marked UN convoy”. And he said armed Palestinian gangs hijacked fuel tankers entering the region leaving hardly any fuel for aid operations.

Mr Fletcher warned such incidents are part of what he called “a dangerous pattern of sabotage and deliberate disruption”. European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova pleaded for such attacks to end.

Out words: humanitarian law

Dur: 00:13

EMI warns of dangers of online Mis-Disinformation in 2025

The spread of false information online for political and other purposes has to be robustly tackled to ensure people have access to good sources of factual information. That’s according to European Movement Ireland which recently published a Misinformation and Disinformation Factsheet.

EMI says disinformation online played a role in the 2023 Dublin riots when false information about minority groups was used to incite and justify street violence. EMI’s CEO, Noelle O’Connell says “false narratives” are being spread online on a range of topics.

Out words: factual information

Dur: 00:50

“Huge number headwinds” facing EU – O’Connell

The EU is facing a “huge number of headwinds” as it embarks on a new year ahead. That’s according to Noelle O’Connell the CEO of European Movement Ireland.

She says a combination of factors including political uncertainty in France and Germany and potential US tariffs will prove challenging for the bloc.  

Out words: Irish economy

Dur: 00:42

EU Kallas outlines “key principles” for Syria’s future

The EU’s foreign policy chief says EU foreign ministers have endorsed a series of “key principles” for Syria agreed during an international meeting in Jordan last weekend. Representatives from the EU, US, UN, Turkey and Arab nations called for an inclusive and representative Syrian government that respects the rights of minorities. And they’re demanding that it doesn’t offer a base for terrorist groups.

Speaking in the European Parliament this morning, Kaja Kallas explained more about the outcome of last weekend’s talks.

Out words: of society 

Dur: 00:21

EU opens formal proceedings against TikTok on election risks

The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against TikTok for what it says is a suspected breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission is taking the action following what it says are “serious indications” that “foreign actors” interfered in the recent Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok.

It’s now investigating whether TikTok violated the DSA by failing to tackle the risks of such interference. Ireland is TikTok's country of establishment in the EU. Coimisiún na Meán, the Digital Services Coordinator for Ireland, will contribute its expertise and analysis to the case. European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier explained more today in Brussels.

Out words: civil discourse

Dur: 00:22

No place for Russia and Iran in Syria’s future – EU Kallas

The future of Syria was one of the top issues discussed by EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Brussels today. The meeting was chaired by the EU’s new foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. She said a top EU diplomat has held meetings with the new Syrian regime in Damascus. The aim she said is to be in contact with the country’s new authorities and to understand how they intend to govern Syria.  

Out words: and shelter

Dur: 00:35

Risk of “sectarian violence” “extremist resurgence” in Syria - EU Kallas

The fall of the Assad Regime in Syria represents a historic development and an opportunity for Syrians to redress a decade of human rights violations. But the transition will present huge challenges in Syria and the Region. That’s according to the EU’s new foreign policy chief.

Kaya Kallas made the comments during an address before the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee this afternoon.

Out words: and Afghanistan

Dur: 00:18

Mercosur safeguards “must be in place” – McConalogue

The Government’s approach on the EU trade deal with the South American Mercosur countries will very much depend on the text of the agreement and the safeguards within it. So says Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue who was speaking in Brussels where Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers are meeting.  

Last Friday the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and her counterparts from four Mercosur countries finalised negotiations for an EU-Mercosur partnership agreement. President von der Leyen hailed the deal as  “a win-win agreement” which she said would bring “meaningful benefits to consumers and businesses, on both sides”.

However  Minister McConalogue says the Government wants to make sure safeguards are in place before it endorses the deal.

Out words: own farmers

Dur: 01:00