EU News Radio

McGuinness cites farming husband on farming woes

Ireland’s EU Commissioner this morning referred to her farming husband as an example of how she’s in touch with the challenges farmers face today.

Mairead McGuinness was speaking in the European Parliament during a debate on the issues farmers are dealing with including adapting to greener farming practices and ensuring food security in Europe. Commissioner McGuinness told MEPs, she understands their frustrations.

Out words: to do

Dur: 00:32

Lack of young farmers in EU of real concern – McGuinness

The agriculture sector across the EU is not attracting enough young men and women to become farmers. That’s according to Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness who was speaking in the European Parliament this morning.

She was debating the role of farmers in the green transition and how to help the agriculture sector more effectively. Commissioner McGuinness told MEPs, encouraging young men and women to farm will not succeed if they cannot earn “decent incomes for their efforts”.

Out words: is fifty seven

Dur: 00:19

EU proposes crackdown on Russia “sanctions circumvention” – VDL

New ways to crack down on so-called Russian sanctions circumventions are being proposed by the European Commission.  The President of the Commission today said the EU needs to take additional action to stop goods going from the bloc to Russia via third countries.  

Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement during her trip to Kyiv today to commemorate Europe Day in Ukraine. She said the proposed new “tool” would be a last resort that “would be used cautiously”.

Out words: goods’ export

Dur: 00:33

Euro “source of strength” - Donohoe

The Euro proved its worth during the pandemic and now war in Europe – that’s according to Paschal Donohoe. Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure and President of the Eurogroup has been speaking at a major conference this afternoon. The Brussels Economic Forum was briefly disrupted by climate protestors displaying banners with the slogan “growth kills”. Paschal Donohoe said through the turbulence of recent years, the single currency has kept Europe steady and he is confident it will continue to do so into the future.

 

Out words: All of Europe

Dur: 0’31”

EU sports streaming clampdown

The EU has called for a clamp down on pirate streaming of sports matches. The League of Ireland has warned the “scourge of illegal online piracy” is undermining a “crucial revenue stream” for Irish football clubs. An EU report estimates illegal streaming of sports and other live events in Europe generates illicit revenues in excess of €500 million per year. Now the EU has published a series of recommendations to take urgent action. European Commission spokesman, Johannes Bahrke, says they will monitor the problem as the new Digital Services Act comes into force in the coming months.

 

Out words: Decided to do

Dur: 0’19”

Ireland should influence EU violence law - O’Reilly

The Irish state should use its considerable influence to push through an EU law on gender-based violence – that’s according to the European Ombudsman. Ireland is currently marking 50 years of EU membership with a series of events. The EU's ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, has been speaking at Iveagh House this lunchtime. In her speech, Emily O’Reilly argued that joining the European Union was key to liberating women in Ireland. She says the state should now in turn show its support to women Europe-wide.

 

Out words: Population size

Dur: 0’24”

€169m EU fund for Midlands launched – Hackett

A multi-million euro EU fund to support areas in the wider Midlands region to make the transition to a zero-carbon economy was launched today in county Longford.

The EU Just Transition Fund was set up to help regions and communities across the EU that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality.

In Ireland the fund is focused on areas most impacted by the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat. The region is set to receive up to eighty four and a half million euro (€84.5m) from the Fund over the period up to 2027. And Government match funding will bring the total up to one hundred and sixty nine million euro (€169m).

Minister Pippa Hackett, who attended today’s launch at the Corlea Trackway visitor centre in Kenagh, says the Fund will lead to exciting opportunities for the wider Midlands region.

Out words: opportunity there

Dur: 00:25

Stormont Brake should only be used on “very rare occasions”– Šefčovič

The European Commission’s Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič says the Windsor Framework’s controversial Stormont Brake should only be used on “very rare occasions”. He made the comments during an online address this afternoon to the Oireachtas Committee on EU affairs.  

The Stormont Brake is a mechanism which gives the Northern Ireland Assembly the power to object to changes to EU laws that apply in Northern Ireland. However, the Brake can only be applied if 30 Members of the Assembly from at least two parties, notify the UK Government of their objection to certain EU laws which apply in Northern Ireland.

But today Commissioner Šefčovič told the Committee members, “extensive consultations” with relevant stakeholders, should ensure the Brake is rarely applied.

Out words: do that

Dur: 00:26

Ireland joins Ostend Declaration on offshore wind acceleration – Varadkar

Ireland is signing up to ambitious goals to harness offshore wind energy from the North Seas including the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today joined leaders of six other EU countries along with Norway and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at the North Sea Summit in Ostend, Belgium. They’re supporting the Ostend Declaration which aims to accelerate the development of offshore wind in the North Seas.

Speaking in Ostend this afternoon, the Taoiseach said the attendance of government leaders and companies at the summit shows a shared commitment to accelerate the transition to a green energy future. And to harnessing what he called the “immense potential of offshore renewables”.  

Out words: and biodiversity

Dur: 00:18

Ireland supports ambitious North Seas wind energy goals – Von der Leyen

Ireland is supporting ambitious goals to accelerate the development of offshore wind in the North Seas, including the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today joined leaders of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway at the North Sea Summit in Ostend, Belgium. The outcome of the summit is the ‘Ostend Declaration’ which aims to deliver on the North Seas’ offshore wind ambitions.

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also attended today’s summit. She said she strongly welcomes the Ostend Declaration.  

Out words: these targets

Dur: 00:15