EU News Radio

Easier travel & rights across EU for people with disabilities – Dalli

The European Commission today announced proposals to give people with disabilities, better access and rights when they travel across the EU.

The Commission wants to introduce a standardised European Disability Card along with an enhanced European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.

The European Disability Card should grant equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment in public and private services. And the European Parking Card will allow persons with disabilities to access the same parking rights available in other EU countries.

The European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli today said both cards would ease travel challenges for those with disabilities.

Out words: parking rights

Dur: 00:29

EU wide disability & enhanced parking cards proposed by European Commission

People with disabilities should enjoy better access to special conditions and preferential treatment such as free parking, when they travel to another EU country.

That’s according to the European Commission. Today it announced proposals to introduce a standardised European Disability Card along with an enhanced European Parking Card for those with disabilities.

Speaking today, European Commissioner Vera Jourova said both cards will make their lives easier when it comes to travelling across the EU.  

Out words: disability card

Dur: 00:36

Solidarity lanes solution to Russia blocking Ukraine grain exports

The use of “solidarity lanes” is the solution to dealing with Russia’s recent decision to block transport of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea corridor.  That’s according to the EU agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski.

Solidarity lanes are rail, road and inland waterways connections that enable Ukraine to import and export critical goods through bordering EU countries. Millions of tonnes of grain, oilseeds and related products have left Ukraine through the Solidarity lanes since they were established.

According to Commissioner Wojciechowski, they enabled the export of around sixty percent (60%) of Ukraine’s grain since the start of the war.

Out words: Ukraine needs

Dur: 00:20

Exchange of EU civil servants for improved public services

The exchange of civil servants across the EU could help countries like Ireland improve the quality of its public services and help deal with holdups in planning permission permits.  That’s according to a top EU official who met government officials and Minister Paschal Donohoe (Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) during his recent visit to Dublin.

Mario Nava is the Commission’s director general for structural reform and support (DG REFORM). It’s the EU body that provides support to member states’ civil services to help them reform and improve the way they operate.  Mr Nava says a new EU initiative could help civil servants across the EU to learn from one another.

Out words: on them

Dur: 00:30

 

 

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