EU News Radio

“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 

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