EU News Radio

Kinahan Cartel named in EU action to tackle top crime bosses – Johansson

The Kinahan cartel could be targeted by proposed EU crime laws designed to go after "unexplained wealth" linked to criminal activity.

The European Commission today outlined details of a proposed directive on asset recovery and confiscation. It would ensure the tracing, freezing, management and confiscation of proceeds derived from certain criminal acts.

The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson said the proposed rules should enable the authorities to go after the top bosses in the really “big and dangerous criminal organisations”.

Out words: the conviction

Dur: 00:26

Russia using “hunger and grain” to “wield power” – VDL

The President of the European Commission has accused Russia of weaponising food security and confiscating grain stocks and machinery in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen made the comments today during an address to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

She said Russia’s artillery is deliberately bombarding grain houses in Ukraine and its warships are blockading Ukrainian ships full of wheat and sunflower seeds. And she said the consequences of what she called “these shameful acts” are there for everyone to see.

Out words: wield power

Dur: 00:40

Solar rooftop obligations & easier renewable energy permits proposed by EU – VDL

The European Commission is proposing a wide range of measures to help wean the EU off Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the development of renewable energy sources.  

The European Commission President today unveiled details of its REPowerEU initiative. It aims to “rapidly reduce” the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and move faster towards the green transition. The Commission says that can be done through energy savings, diversification of energy supplies, and the acceleration of renewable energy projects.  

Ursula von den Leyen said the REPowerEU plan involves a “whole host of actions to scale up and speed up the clean energy transition”.

Out words: twenty nine

Dur: 00:36

EU proposes “massive investment” in renewable energy – Von der Leyen

The European Commission today outlined plans to “rapidly reduce” the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and  move faster towards the green transition.  

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Russian war on Ukraine exposed the EU’s vulnerability when it came to relying on Russia for fossil fuels. She said that dependence must be reduced as soon as possible.

President von der Leyen unveiled details of the Commission’s proposed REPowerEU initiative. She said it shows how the EU can replace Russian fossil fuels by working on three levels.

Out words: renewable energy

Dur: 00:28

EU “will respond with all the measures” at its disposal to UK Protocol changes

The EU is threatening to respond robustly to British intentions to introduce legislation that would override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol.

The warnings follow today’s announcement by the UK Foreign Secretary that she intends to introduce legislation to make changes to the Protocol in the coming weeks. Liz Truss told the House of Commons, the proposed bill will ensure that goods moving and staying within the UK, are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy through a new green channel.  

Daniel Sheridan-Ferrie is the European Commission’s spokesperson for EU-UK agreements. He says unilateral action on the protocol such as that proposed by the UK “will never work”.

Out words: our part

Dur: 00:20

UK Protocol changes raise “significant concerns” – European Commission

The European Commission’s Vice President Maroš Šefčovič is warning the EU will need to respond with “all measures at its disposal” should the UK decide to move ahead with a bill disapplying elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

His warnings followed today’s announcement by the UK Foreign Secretary that she intends to introduce legislation to make changes to the Protocol in the coming weeks. Liz Truss told the House of Commons the proposed bill will ensure that goods moving and staying within the UK, are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy through a new green channel.  

In a statement today, Maroš Šefčovič said “unilateral actions contradicting an international agreement are not acceptable”. 

Daniel Sheridan-Ferrie is the European Commission’s spokesperson for EU-UK agreements. He says today’s announcement by the British government “raises significant concerns”.

Out words: never work

Dur: 00:36

Unilateral action on Protocol “not the solution” – Šefčovič clip

The EU’s Brexit negotiator has warned the EU will not re-negotiate the Northern Ireland Protocol. And he stressed the Protocol is the only solution that “squares the circle” between Brexit and the situation on the island of Ireland.

Maros Šefčovič was speaking during the first ever meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly which is taking place in Brussels.

Mr Šefčovič told the Assembly, that his UK counterparts have not met the EU half-way. And he said there’s been no engagement “at all” from the UK over the last couple of months to find “practical solutions” on issues that need to be resolved.

Out words: ask for

Dur: 00:40

Unilateral action on Protocol “simply not acceptable” - Šefčovič

The European Commission’s Brexit negotiator today warned the UK that any unilateral action that dis-applies an international agreement such as the Northern Ireland Protocol, “is simply not acceptable”.

In a statement, Maros Šefčovič said “it continues to be of serious concern that the UK government intends to embark on the path of unilateral action”.

His comments came ahead of the first ever meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. It’s taking place in Brussels over the next two days.

The chair of the UK’s delegation, Sir Oliver Heald today said he’s hoping an agreement can be reached between both sides on the Protocol.

Out words: an agreement

Dur: 00:18

Nearly 60% support for increased EU defence & security co-operation

Nearly sixty percent of people in Ireland support increased EU defence and security co-operation.

That’s according to a RED C poll out today that was conducted for European Movement Ireland. The findings come almost fifty years after the majority of people in Ireland voted to join the EU in 1972.  (vote on 10/05/1972).

The poll found that following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fifty nine percent (59%) agreed that Ireland should be part of an increased EU defence and security co-operation. That’s up from fifty four percent (54%) last year.

European Movement Ireland’s CEO Noelle O’Connell, explains more about the Poll findings.

Out words: we are

Dur: 00: 29

 

 

 

88% support for EU Membership in Ireland

Eighty eight percent of people in Ireland support membership of the European Union.

And nearly sixty percent (59%) believe the country should be part of increased EU defence and security co-operation.

That’s according to a RED C poll out today that was carried out for European Movement Ireland. The findings come almost fifty years after the majority of people in Ireland voted to join the EU in 1972.  (10/05/1972).

The research also found that seventy nine percent (79%) of people agreed that EU membership has had a positive impact on their lives.

European Movement Ireland’s CEO, Noelle O’Connell said a range of factors may have influenced the increased support for EU membership.

Out words: Irish voice

Dur: 00:41