Episodes

Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
UK NI Bill “completely unacceptable” – Šefčovič
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
The European Commission’s Brexit negotiator says the UK’s Northern Ireland Protocol bill is “completely unacceptable” and “breaches” international law.
MPs gave their initial approval on Monday to the bill which would overturn parts of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland.
Speaking in Brussels this morning, the European Commission’s Maroš Šefčovič said the EU has “all the technical solutions on the table” but what’s needed is “good political will” on the side of the UK government to move forward.
Out words: years ago
Dur: 00:25

Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
EU moves step closer to sweeping climate change laws – Timmermans
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
EU governments moved a step closer to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by fifty five percent by 2030 after striking a compromise deal in the early hours of this morning in Luxembourg.
Environment ministers from the bloc, agreed their joint positions on key proposals that are part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package. It will enable the bloc to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The agreed proposals include ending the sale of new combustion engine cars by 2035, boosting natural sinks like forests and creating a multi-billion euro fund to help poorer people deal with CO2 costs. The European Council will now negotiate with the European Parliament to conclude the “Fit for 55” package.
Speaking early this morning, the European Commission’s Green Deal boss, Frans Timmermans said the agreement would set the EU on the path to climate neutrality.
Out words: by 2050
Dur: 00:21

Thursday Jun 23, 2022
EU sending “message of solidarity” to Ukraine with candidate status – Taoiseach
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
EU leaders will grant Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova EU candidate status during today’s EU summit in Brussels.
Speaking in the Belgian capital this morning, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said today the EU is sending a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine that they belong to the European family.
Out words: with Georgia
Dur: 00:56

Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
British “need to stick to agreements” signed – Byrne
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
The current state of EU-UK relations will be discussed at a meeting of EU Ministers in Luxembourg today. The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Maroš Šefčovič will update the ministers on what’s happening between the two sides.
European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne, who’s attending the meeting in Luxembourg, says the EU is doing its best to try to resolve issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Out words: can happen
Dur: 00:18

Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Agreement likely on Ukraine EU candidate status – Byrne
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
EU leaders are likely to agree to give Ukraine EU candidate status. That’s according to the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne. He was speaking in Luxembourg this morning where a General Affairs council of EU Ministers is being held.
Today’s meeting comes ahead of an upcoming European Council summit later this week where EU leaders will discuss the EU membership applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
Minister Byrne says Ireland has played a leading role in working towards accession and candidate status for Ukraine.
Out words: strong view
Dur: 00:12

Friday Jun 17, 2022
Commission recommends Ukraine get EU candidate status – Von der Leyen
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Friday Jun 17, 2022
The European Commission is recommending Ukraine be given EU candidate status (and the European perspective). The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement this morning.
She also said the European Council should grant Moldova the European perspective and EU candidate status on the understanding it carries out a number of further important reforms.
President von der Leyen said Ukrainians are ready to die for the “European perspective” and she said we want them to live the European dream with us.
Our words: be done
Dur: 00:20

Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Dual set of rules would lead to “mountain of paperwork and bureaucracy” - Maroš Šefčovič
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
The European Commission insists it has come up with a “set of solutions” to enable the easy movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland.
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič this morning said their proposals included a 3-page certification system for a whole lorry full of different goods. And he said they would even allow the movement of certain goods that would otherwise be restricted, such as chilled meat, like sausages.
Mr Šefčovič announced details of new infringement proceedings the Commission is taking against the UK for not complying with “significant parts” of the Northern Ireland protocol. He said their proposals were all about simplification and were in stark contrast to the dual regulatory regime proposed by the UK.
Out words: on a whim
Dur: 00:32

Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
UK bill on protocol “extremely damaging” - Maroš Šefčovič
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
The European Commission is launching infringement proceedings against the UK for what it calls “breaking international law” because it hasn’t complied with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Commission says that despite repeated calls on the UK government to implement the Protocol, it has failed to do so.
The European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič announced details of the infringement proceedings this morning. He says “acting unilaterally is not constructive” and “violating international agreements is not acceptable”.
Out words: single market
Dur: 01:27

Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
EU launches legal action against UK on Protocol – Sefcovic
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
The EU is launching legal action against the UK for not complying with significant parts of the Northern Ireland protocol.
The European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič announced this morning they are proceeding with an infringement process originally launched in 2021. If the UK doesn’t reply within 2 months he said they may take them to the European Court of Justice.
The EU is also launching 2 new infringements against the UK. One is for failing to carry out necessary controls at border control posts in Northern Ireland. The second is for failing to provide the EU with essential trading statistics data.
Mr Šefčovič said the UK’s bill on the Protocol was extremely damaging to mutual trust. He said it’s creating “deep uncertainty” and is casting a shadow over cooperation between the EU and the UK.
Out words: is illegal
Dur: 00:21

Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
World facing “collision” of crises compounded by “Putin’s war” – Von der Leyen
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
Two hundred and seventy five million people are likely to be at risk of food insecurity across the world this year. And rising inflation could push those numbers and risks out of control.
That’s the warning from the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She told the European Parliament that the World bank has estimated 10 million people are pushed into extreme poverty for every percentage point increase in food prices.
And she said we should be under “no illusions” about the challenges ahead.
Out words: tolerate this
Dur: 01:05