EU News Radio

EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness on the energy crisis

Energy ministers will meet next week (on Friday the 30^th ) to discuss EU proposals to deal with the energy crisis.

Last week the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recommended a number of initiatives for member states to tackle soaring energy costs.

They include mandatory cuts of electricity use at peak hours and imposing windfall taxes on energy companies making “excess revenues” from low-cost electricity generation.

Well Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness,  spoke to Karen Coleman Editor of EU News Radio, about the energy crisis and the EU proposals on it. Here’s that interview.

Out words: most needed

Dur: 05:29

Channel “excessive” profits from energy companies to vulnerable – McGuinness

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness says the excess profits from companies making electricity at low cost, should go to where they’re most needed.

Last week the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a number of recommendations for member states to tackle soaring energy costs.

They include mandatory cuts of electricity use at peak hours and imposing windfall taxes on energy companies making “excess revenues” from low-cost electricity generation. Energy ministers will meet next week (Friday 30^th) to discuss the EU measures to handle the energy crisis.

Here’s Mairead McGuinness.

Out words: most needed

Dur: 00:45

 

Ireland to get €1.4 billion in EU Cohesion funding– Ferreira

Ireland is set to get €1.4b in EU funding over the next six years to help address regional disparities and social inequalities. The money will come from the EU’s Cohesion Funding policy which aims to improve the economic well-being of regions and cities in the EU.

Money will be invested in a range of initiatives including green transition projects, revitalisation of town centres, and schemes to help reduce poverty and social exclusion. €84m will support the Midlands region deal with the transition from peat for electricity generation. And around €142m is set for the Irish fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors.   

The government’s plans for investing the funds are set out in a Partnership Agreement between Ireland and the European Commission which is being launched today. The EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira has been visiting Ireland for the launch of the Partnership Agreement. She explains the purpose of the Cohesion fund.

Out words: South East

Dur: 00: 30

Impact of rising prices on food production & costs “really” concerning – McGuinness

Ireland’s EU Commissioner says she understands the fears and problems farmers have, when it comes to some of the challenges they face today such as climate change demands and rising prices.

Mairead McGuinness says she wants to listen to farmers and talk to them about their concerns during her attendance at this week’s Ploughing Championships in County Laois.

Commissioner McGuinness says the European Commission is “really concerned” about the impact higher gas and fertiliser costs may have on food production and prices.

Out words: is prolonged

Dur: 00:50

Commissioner McGuinness to listen to farmers’ concerns at Ploughing

Ireland’s European Commissioner says she wants to hear from farmers and listen to their concerns during her attendance at this week’s ploughing championships in Ratheniska (Co. Laois).

Mairead McGuinness says the European Commission wants to know how it can address the challenges farmers face, at a time of huge uncertainty.  

Out words: to say       

Dur: 00:20

Mandatory power cuts & windfall energy taxes proposed by EU

EU countries will be obliged to cut their consumption of electricity at peak hours by at least five percent (5%). And they should seek to lower their overall electricity consumption by at least 10% until the end of next March.

Windfall taxes will also be imposed on energy companies making “excess revenues” from low-cost electricity generation. The monies raised by the taxes would be channelled to families and businesses needing help with high costs.

They’re the proposals announced today by the European Commission. The recommendations will have to be negotiated with the EU’s twenty seven member states. Speaking today, the EU’s Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans said reducing gas and electricity consumption is fundamental to the success of any measure to tackle the energy crisis.

Out words: by everyone

Dur: 00:22

“Comprehensive reform” of electricity market on the cards – von der Leyen

The EU boss this morning reiterated calls for a cap on the revenues of companies producing electricity at low costs. Ursula von der Leyen said those profits should be channelled to people needing help the most.   

She was speaking during her annual State of the Union address in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. President von der Leyen told MEPs, the strong influence of gas must be “decoupled” from the price of electricity generated by low-cost power sources.

Out words: electricity market

Dur: 00:20

“Targeted support” needed for millions struggling with rising costs – Von der Leyen

The European Commission president is calling for “targeted support” for those needing help to cope with rising costs brought about by the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis.

Ursula von der Leyen made the call during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning.

She told MEPs prices have risen by more than ten times compared to before the pandemic. The Commission is proposing a cap be put on the revenues of companies producing electricity at low costs. President von der Leyen said those profits should be channelled to people needing help the most.   

Out words: it most

Dur: 00:24

Courage of Ukraine’s First Lady hailed by EU boss – VDL

The courage of Ukraine’s First Lady was acknowledged this morning during the European Commission President’s annual State of the Union address.  

Olena Zelenska was present in the European Parliament in Strasbourg for Ursula von der Leyen’s speech.

President von der Leyen told MEPs she remembered a moment in the early weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Mrs Zelenska gathered the parents of children killed in the war.

Out words: our memories

Dur: 00:28

Putin will fail & Ukraine & Europe will prevail – Von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission this morning warned the moments ahead will “not be easy” as the fallout from the war on Ukraine continues.  .

Ursula von der Leyen made the comments during her annual State of the European Union Address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She said much is at stake, not just for Ukraine but for all of Europe and the world at large. And she said “we will be tested by those who want to exploit any kind of division between us”.   

Out words: will prevail 

Dur: 00:34