EU News Radio

Poots’s actions causing “utter confusion” – McGuinness

The European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness says she hopes the decision by Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister to halt checks on certain goods at Northern Ireland Ports won’t make matters worse.

Edwin Poots made the decision after taking legal advice which he says concluded he could go ahead and stop the inspections.

The move is part of the continuing row over the implementation of the Brexit Protocol on Northern Ireland.

Out words: plainly unhelpful

Dur: 01:17

Poots’s checks halts “extraordinary development” McGuinness

The decision by Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister to end checks on agri-food goods at ports in Northern Ireland is causing “utter confusion” and is “plainly unhelpful”.

That’s according to Ireland’s European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness. Mr Poots made the decision after taking legal advice which he says concluded he could go ahead and stop the inspections.

Here’s Mairead McGuinness.

Out words: this time

Dur: 00:42

Gas and Nuclear included in EU sustainable activities list – McGuinness LONG

Ireland’s EU Commissioner has defended the inclusion of nuclear power and natural gas activities in the EU’s Taxonomy classification system.  

It’s supposed to help investors identify sustainable economic activities that complement the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.

There’s been strong opposition from several quarters to the inclusion of gas and nuclear power in the environmentally sustainable activities list.

Today (Wednesday) Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness announced details of the new rules and explained why nuclear power and natural gas activities were included in them.

Out words: in transition

Dur: 02:43

Nuclear & Gas “imperfect solutions” to achieving carbon neutrality – McGuinness

The inclusion of nuclear power and natural gas activities in an EU list of sustainable energy sources for investors was announced today.  

The new finance rules are part of the EU’s Taxonomy classification system. It’s supposed to help investors identify sustainable economic activities that complement the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.

But there’s been outcry from several quarters including some EU governments and environmental groups to the inclusion of gas and nuclear power in the classification system.

This morning the European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness defended their inclusion saying they were needed to help the transition to renewable energy sources.

Out words: carbon neutrality

Dur: 00:34

Gas and nuclear get green classification for investment – McGuinness

The European Commission today announced details of new finance rules that classify certain nuclear power and natural gas activities as sustainable energy sources for private investment purposes.

The new rules are part of the EU’s Taxonomy classification system. It’s supposed to help investors identify sustainable economic activities that complement the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.

But there’s been strong opposition from several quarters to the inclusion of gas and nuclear power in the taxonomy classification system.

This morning the European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness defended their inclusion saying they were needed to facilitate the transition to climate neutrality.

Out words: these sectors

Dur: 00:33

New EU rules for prescription of anti-biotics to animals – Interview

Vets will have to be increasingly vigilant from today when it comes to prescribing anti-biotics for animals.

New EU rules on the way certain medicines for farm animals are prescribed will come into force on Friday (January 28^th). The regulations are being brought in to address concerns about the ongoing threat of anti-microbial resistance or AMR to medicines such as antibiotics.  

Dr Caroline Garvan is a Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture. She spoke to EU News Radio’s Karen Coleman and explained why these rules are being introduced.

Out words: our vets

Dur: 04:33

New EU rules on Vet meds/anti-biotics from tomorrow

New EU rules on the way medicines for farm animals are prescribed will come into force tomorrow (Friday January 28^th). The regulations are being brought in to address concerns about the ongoing threat of anti-microbial resistance or AMR to medicines such as antibiotics.  

From tomorrow vets will have increasing responsibilities when it comes to prescribing anti-microbial medicines for animals.

Dr Caroline Garvan is a Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture. She now explains what the new rules will mean for vets prescribing anti-biotics.  

Out words: everyone’s health

Dur: 00:36

Fundamental Rights the same online as offline – Commission

A draft EU Declaration on digital rights and principles establishes “once and for all that what is illegal offline should also be illegal online”.

That’s according to the European Commission which today announced details of the draft declaration. The Commission is calling on the European Parliament and Council to agree to the Declaration by this summer.

It includes a range of digital rights for people such as affordable and high-speed digital connectivity, a safe and secure digital environment for everyone and the power to control how our personal data is used and shared online.    

The European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, says the Declaration will make it “crystal clear” what rights we are all entitled to in an online world.

Out words: are respected

Dur: 01:04

Digital Rights declaration proposed by Commission – Vestager

The European Commission today announced details of a draft declaration on digital rights and principles for everyone in the EU.

These rights should include affordable and high-speed digital connectivity everywhere in the bloc and for everybody. Other digital rights being proposed include seamless access to public services, a safe and secure digital environment for everyone and the ability to disconnect online after working hours. The power to control how our personal data is used and shared is also being proposed in the declaration.   

The European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, explained more about the draft declaration when announcing details of it today.

Out words: be empowered

Dur: 00:22

Commission approves extra €45m grants for live performances in Ireland

The European Commission has just approved an additional forty five million euro (€45m) in grants to support commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances in Ireland who may be impacted by Covid 19.  

The aim of the Irish scheme is to support those working in live performances who will stage events here over the next six months. Grants given will cover costs of the likes of artists, musicians, performers and technicians.

The extra forty five million was agreed after the government looked for additional funding to an original scheme worth twenty five million (€25m) which was approved last May.  

Applicants have until the thirtieth of June (30 June) this year to be eligible for grants which should not exceed two point three million (€2.3m) per beneficiary.

European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta explains what the scheme is about.

Out words: do so

Dur: 00:32