EU News Radio

Young people to have “a stronger voice” in EU policymaking

Young people will have “a stronger voice” in EU policymaking and the decisions that affect them in the future. That’s the promise from the European Commission which today announced several actions that it says will give young people a greater say in the decisions that impact their lives. Those actions include much greater participation of young people in the EU decision-making process.

The Commission says in the future, it will apply a so-called “youth check” when designing laws and policies for the bloc. And, it’s vowing to ensure the impact of those policies on young people will be “systematically factored in”.

The European Commissioner for Youth, Iliana Ivanova had this message for young Europeans.  

Out words: new initiatives

Dur: 00:56

Young people urged to vote in EU elections – Schinas

Young people across the EU are being encouraged to make sure they’re registered to vote in the upcoming European parliament elections in June. The European Commission today announced several actions that it says will give young people a greater say in EU policy making and the decisions that affect them.

The Commission’s vice-president Margaritis Schinas stressed how important it was that young people cast their ballots in the European elections.

Out words: European elections

Dur: 00:20

EU needs to do more to tackle migrant smuggling – EU Johansson

The EU needs “to do more” to fight the illegal smuggling of migrants and asylum seekers into Europe. That’s according to the EU’s Home Affairs chief Ylva Johansson. She was speaking in Cyprus where she’s been discussing the impact of migration on the Mediterranean island.

Last year, the EU agreed on new rules to share the cost of hosting migrants more evenly across the bloc. The EU wants to limit the number of people using smugglers’ networks.

Commissioner Ylva Johansson says more needs to be done to tackle migrant smuggling.    

Out words: migrant smuggling

Dur: 00:25

Racist xenophobia “poison in society” – EU Johansson

The EU’s Home Affairs chief says she’s “very concerned” about the levels of “racist xenophobic hatred”, “extreme right rhetoric” and “threats towards individuals” in the EU. EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson was speaking in Cyprus where she’s been discussing the impact of migration on the Mediterranean island.

There are growing concerns about the increasing resistance to migrants and asylum seekers coming to EU countries including Ireland.  

Here’s Commissioner Johansson.

Out words: so important

Dur: 00:11

EMI warns of risks of disinformation on EU/Irish elections – O’Connell

People are being warned to be wary of online information when it comes to the various elections that will be held in Ireland and the EU this year. Voters will get to cast their ballots on referendums in March and local and European elections in June.

The CEO of European Movement Ireland, Noelle O’Connell says “we really need to mitigate against the risks” of disinformation and misinformation.

Out word: educated manner

Dur: 00:28

People urged to register to vote for Irish & June elections – EMI O’Connell

European Movement Ireland is urging people to ensure they’re registered to vote in this year’s European and Irish referendums and local elections.

EMI’s CEO Noelle O’Connell says people have a responsibility to participate in the democratic process. She’s calling on voters to ensure they turn out to cast their ballots to help shape the kind of country and European Union they want to live in.  

Out words: taking place

Dur: 00:16

2024 will be “Democracy’s Superbowl” – O’Connell EMI

This year will see some of the world’s most important elections taking place with over forty percent (40%) of the global population entitled to cast their ballots.

That’s according to Noelle O’Connell,  CEO of European Movement Ireland. This year’s elections include those for the European Parliament which will take place in early June.

Noelle O’Connell says 2024 will be a “bumper packed year for elections”.

Out words: European Parliament elections

Dur: 00:26

Housing & Cost of Living issues of most concern for Ireland – Eurobarometer

Housing and the cost of living rank the issues of most concern for Irish people. That’s according to the Autumn 2023 Eurobarometer Report for Ireland published today by the European Commission. The survey covers the period from October to November.

It found that over half of those surveyed cited housing as a key concern. Rising prices, inflation and the cost of living were the second most important issues of concern.  Helen Kearns, the head of communications at the European Commission’s Representation in Dublin, gave more details about the survey.   

Out words: highlighted

Dur: 00:13

 

 

Irish support for EU remains strong - Eurobarometer Survey

Irish support for the European Union remains strong. And Ireland is more optimistic than any other member state about the future of the EU at eighty three percent (83%). That compares to the EU average of sixty one percent (61%). That’s according to the Autumn 2023 Eurobarometer report for Ireland published today by the European Commission.  

The survey covers the period from October to November. However it does not refer to issues about the Middle East and the Israel-Hamas war. The survey also found that among the Irish public, there is a much higher rate of people who feel well informed about the EU at 62%. That compares to the EU average of just thirty six percent (6%).

Helen Kearns, the head of communications at the European Commission’s Representation in Dublin, gave more details about the survey.   

Out words: twelve months

Dur: 01:07

EU ministers tackle packaging “waste crisis” – Environment Commissioner

The challenge of reducing packaging waste will be tackled today by EU Environment ministers meeting in Brussels. They’re discussing European Commission proposals to make all packaging recyclable by 2030. According to the EU, packaging waste has increased by more than twenty percent (20%) over the last 10 years in the bloc. And it’s forecast to grow by another 19% until 2030. New habits, including on-the-go consumption, increased online sales and home deliveries are contributing to that increase.   

The Commission’s revised proposals on packaging and packaging waste, include banning certain kinds of single-use items such as disposable cups and plates, that are directly consumed inside restaurants and cafés. And they want to end single-use miniature packaging for the likes of hotel toiletries and fresh fruits and vegetables.

The European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius says the EU needs to deal with its growing “waste crisis”.

Out words: waste crisis

Dur: 00:19