EU News Radio

Brussels can help Ireland reduce “roadblocks” for renewable energy permits

The European Commission can help Ireland to reduce “bottlenecks” in planning permits for renewable energy projects. That’s according to the head of the European Commission’s body that helps member states improve the quality of its public services.

Mario Nava is the Commission’s director general for structural reform and support (DG REFORM). He believes Ireland’s access to wind, waves and occasional sun, provides “big” potential for renewable energy. And he says,  Brussels can provide the expertise to help countries like Ireland speed up planning permits for renewable energy projects.

Out words: our advice

Dur: 00:31

Russia’s grain deal termination “very wrong” – Varadkar

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned Russia’s decision to refuse to extend a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. The United Nations is warning Russia’s decision will jeopardise the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people. And EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, strongly condemned what she called Russia’s “cynical move” to terminate the Black Sea Grain initiative.

Mr Varadkar was speaking in Brussels where he’s attending a summit of leaders of EU, Latin American and Caribbean countries.  

Out words: I think

Dur: 00:56

Collapse of Russian-Ukraine grain deal shouldn’t cause inflation spike - Taoiseach

The Taoiseach this morning said the collapse of the Russian-Ukraine grain deal shouldn’t lead to another spike in inflation. Leo Varadkar was commenting on Russia’s recent refusal to extend a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. The United Nations is warning Russia’s decision will jeopardise the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, strongly condemned what she called Russia’s “cynical move” to terminate the Black Sea Grain initiative.

Mr Varadkar was speaking in Brussels where he’s attending a summit of leaders of EU, Latin American and Caribbean countries.  

Out words: grain out

Dur: 00:19

“Comprehensive response” needed on migration – Varadkar

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says deals with transit countries like Tunisia and Libya are needed as part of a range of measures to tackle migration. Mr Varadkar was speaking in Brussels where he’s attending an EU summit (EU-CELAC summit).

His comments follow last weekend’s deal between the EU and Tunisia which includes measures to manage irregular migration. Tunisia is a key transit country for migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

Out words: countries of transit

Dur: 00:56

Deals with transit countries like Tunisia needed to tackle migration – Taoiseach

The Taoiseach today said a “comprehensive response” is needed to manage migration that ranges from strengthening external borders to tackling some of the reasons that cause people to migrate. Leo Varadkar was speaking in Brussels where he’s attending a summit of leaders of EU and Latin American and Caribbean States.

His comments follow last weekend’s deal between the EU and Tunisia which includes measures to manage irregular migration. Tunisia is a key transit country for migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. The Taoiseach said deals with transit countries like Tunisia and Libya are needed to better manage migration.”

Out words: of transit

Dur: 00:28

Moves to reject Nature Restoration Law shot down by European Parliament

Moves to reject the EU’s proposed Nature Restoration Law were shot down in the European Parliament this morning. The controversial law would require countries to establish recovery measures for 20% of the European Union’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

It’s a divisive initiative with some arguing it will have serious impacts on food production and on the livelihoods of farmers, foresters and fisheries groups. Others say it’s essential to address massive biodiversity loss across the EU. In a tight vote in Strasbourg this morning, a small majority of MEPs voted to block moves to reject the European Commission’s proposals outright. Instead they adopted the Parliament’s position on the controversial law to start negotiations with member states.

The EU’s Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius says the Nature Restoration Law is essential to save badly damaged ecosystems.

Out words: our children

Dur: 00:34

 

Commissioner urges MEPs to pass Nature Restoration Law - Sinkevicius

The EU Environment Commissioner this morning pleaded with the European Parliament to approve the controversial EU Nature Restoration Law. In June last year, the Commission proposed a regulation that would require countries to establish recovery measures for 20% of the European Union’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

However, the proposed law is divisive with some arguing it will have serious impacts on food production and on the livelihoods of farmers and fisheries groups. Others say it’s essential to address massive biodiversity loss across the EU.

Last month the European Parliament’s Environment Committee failed to approve the proposed new law. And so tomorrow the entire Parliament will vote on it.  This morning Commissioner Sinkevičius said the consequences of the climate and biodiversity crisis are “becoming increasingly visible”.

Long clip:

Out words: sometimes more

Dur: 00:41

EU proposes deregulating some GM crops

The European Commission has proposed loosening the rules on GM crops. The changes would mean genetically modified plants ‘comparable’ to naturally occurring variations would not have to go through the current authorisation process. The EU argues that New Genomic Techniques or NGTs can increase yields and reduce the use of pesticides. Announcing the proposals this afternoon, European Commission Executive Vice President, Frans Timmermans, said the new regulation will continue to protect the environment whilst bringing benefits to farming.

 

Out words: Climate change
Dur: 0’15”

McGuinness on cleaning up the Atlantic Ocean

The EU is working to clean up the Atlantic Ocean – that’s according to Mairead McGuinness. By 2030, the EU has pledged to “protect and restore the health of our ocean”. For ten years, the so-called Galway Statement – a cooperation agreement between European, US and Canadian scientists – has enabled extensive research to be carried out into the waters off the Irish coast. European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, says that work is contributing to a worldwide effort.

Out words: To be done
Dur: 1’03”

Galway Statement steering EU on environment – McGuinness

Major research in the Atlantic Ocean is helping to steer EU environmental policy – that’s according to Mairead McGuinness. The Galway Statement was signed ten years ago to encourage European, US and Canadian scientists to cooperate. Since 2013, then more than one thousand research teams have come together to study new species, map the ocean floor and investigate climate change. A series of events marking the ten-year anniversary are taking place this week in Dublin and Galway. Ireland’s European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, is a big advocate of the work being done. She says the research is achieving important results.

 

Out words: Around climate change
Dur: 0’27”