EU News Radio

Ireland’s illegal turf cutting criticised in EU environmental report

Ireland is failing to properly protect raised and blanket bogs that are designated as special areas of conservation. And illegal turf cutting still takes place on raised bogs. That’s according to an EU report on member states’ implementation of EU environmental laws and policies published today (Thursday).

The European Commission’s Environmental Implementation review found that Ireland was failing to implement EU legislation in a range of areas including water treatment and protection of certain bogs, forests and marine areas. The quality of bathing water remains below average and problems with drinking water are unresolved in Ireland according to the report. It also found the increasing generation of waste remains significantly above the EU average. And ammonia emissions from agriculture “pose a significant problem”.

Adalbert Jahnz, a European Commission spokesperson, said Ireland’s record on protecting raised and blanket bogs is worrying.  

Out words: managed better

Dur: 00:36

Ireland’s poor record on bogs, waste, water and air quality cited in EU report

Illegal turf cutting, poor bathing waters, high waste generation and damaging agricultural emissions were identified as some of the key challenges for Ireland in an EU environmental report out today.

The European Commission’s Environmental Implementation review assesses how EU countries are implementing environmental legislation. The report found that Ireland was failing to implement EU laws and policies in a range of areas including water treatment and protection of certain bogs, forests and marine areas. The quality of bathing waters remains below average and problems with drinking water remain unresolved in Ireland according to the report.

The high cost of bringing an environmental legal action here (in Ireland) was also highlighted. And it found the increasing generation of waste remains significantly above the EU average. Ammonia emissions from agriculture also “pose a significant problem” according to the report.  

The EU’s Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius today urged EU countries to properly implement the EU’s environmental laws.

Out words: further delay

Dur: 00:32  

EU proposes range of measures for spiralling energy costs VDL LONG

The European Commission is proposing a range of measures to address spiralling energy costs including imposing a cap on the price of Russian gas.  

The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen today outlined five different initiatives to deal with what she called the astronomical electricity prices for households and companies and the “enormous market volatility”.

Her proposals include electricity savings, a cap on the revenues of companies producing electricity with low costs and the imposition of a solidarity contribution on oil and gas companies. 

President von der Leyen said those revenues should be used to support vulnerable households and companies and to invest in clean home-grown energy sources. And she said the EU cannot be blackmailed anymore by Vladimir Putin’s announcements on Russian gas. The measures will be discussed by EU energy ministers on Friday.

Out words: overcome

Dur: 00: 56

Price Cap on Russian Gas proposed by EU – Von der Leyen

The European Commission is proposing a cap on the price of Russian gas as part of a range of measures to address spiralling energy costs.

The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen today outlined five different initiatives to address what she called the astronomical electricity prices for households and companies and the “enormous market volatility”. The proposals will be discussed by EU energy ministers on Friday.

Speaking in Brussels earlier, President von der Leyen said the price cap on Russian gas can be imposed “really fast” and that the EU cannot be blackmailed anymore by Vladimir Putin’s announcements on it.

Out words: have solidarity

Dur: 00:21

EU approves State-Aid €80 million Irish-Brexit Fishery scheme

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an eighty million euro  (€ 80m) Irish scheme to support the fishery sector affected by Brexit.

Its aim is to incentivise vessel owners to stop commercial fishing activities by scrapping their boats. The scheme will run until the end of next year. Aid will be granted to Irish-registered vessel owners in the form of a direct grant to compensate them for ceasing their fishing work. It will be partially financed under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which was set up to help deal with the economic and social impact of Brexit.

Arianna Podesta, a European Commission spokesperson explains.

Out words: this aid

Dur: 00:45

EU countries strike deal on gas savings – Simson LONG

Ireland has been given a derogation on mandatory gas reductions in a deal reached today in Brussels.

EU member states agreed on voluntary gas savings of fifteen percent (15%) from August to the end of March next year. Ministers also agreed on the possibilities of triggering a ‘Union alert’ which would impose a mandatory requirement to cut gas consumption by fifteen percent.

However island countries like Ireland, that are not interconnected to other EU states’ gas networks, are exempted from any mandatory gas reductions.  The EU’s Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said today’s agreement reflects the specific situations of the member states.

Out words: sixty six percent   

Dur: 00:57

 

Ireland gets derogation on EU deal on gas savings

EU member states today reached a political agreement on voluntary gas savings of fifteen percent (15%) from the beginning of August to the end of March next year. It follows last week’s proposals by the European Commission for gas reductions to cope with possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia.

Ministers also agreed on the possibilities of triggering a ‘Union alert’ which would impose a mandatory requirement to cut gas consumption by fifteen percent. However some countries including Ireland, that are not interconnected to other EU states’ gas networks, are exempted from any mandatory gas reductions.  

The  Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jozef SÍKELA today announced details of the derogations that apply to Ireland.   

Out words: Malta, Cyprus

Dur: 00:32

Ireland likely to “benefit” from gas savings “exceptions” – Eamon Ryan

EU energy ministers are meeting in Brussels today to try to reach an agreement on a coordinated gas reduction plan for the bloc. They’re also expected to discuss security of energy supply in the EU and further measures ahead of next winter.

The meeting follows last week’s proposals by the European Commission for a fifteen percent savings in gas consumption from August to the end of next March.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, Environment minister Eamon Ryan said Ireland is likely to benefit from a derogation to cut its gas use because of its geographical location.

Out words: their part

Dur: 00:32

EU boss calls for “Energy Solidarity” on gas – VDL

The President of the European Commission is appealing to all EU countries to get ready to share their gas supplies in case other member states need them.

That could see Ireland sharing its own gas stocks if Russia cuts off or severely reduces its supplies to countries within the bloc. 

Ursula von der Leyen called for “energy solidarity” today when she announced new plans to reduce gas consumption in the EU by fifteen percent (15%) from the beginning of August until next Spring. The Commission is also proposing imposing mandatory cuts on member states, if there’s a severe gas shortage or an exceptionally high gas demand.    

Out words: of need

Dur: 00:28

EU countries urged to cut gas consumption for winter – VDL

EU countries are being urged to cut their gas consumption by fifteen percent (15%) from August to next Spring. And mandatory cuts could be imposed on member states if there’s a severe gas shortage or an exceptionally high gas demand.    

They’re the plans proposed by the European Commission today which says the European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia. All consumers, public administrations, households, owners of public buildings, power suppliers and industry are being advised to take measures to save gas.

The EU boss Ursula von der Leyen today said the EU has to prepare for a “potential full disruption” of gas supplies from Russia which she warned would hit the whole bloc.

Out words: we are

Dur: 01:11