EU News Radio

Further acts against Ukraine will have “massive costs for Russia” warns EU Boss

Further aggressive acts against Ukraine will have “massive costs for Russia”. That’s the warning from the European Commission President who was speaking this morning in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Ursula von der Leyen was referring to the massive build-up of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border amid fears Russia is planning to invade Ukraine early next year. She told MEPs the EU and its partners were prepared with a whole set of economic sanctions against Russia already in place.  

Out words: solved peacefully

Dur: 00:33

 

Commissioner to discuss EU cyber-security during trip to Ireland

Increasing the EU’s capacity to prevent the kind of cyber attack on the HSE earlier this year, will be one of the topics up for discussion during the EU Internal Market Commissioner’s trip to Ireland today.

Thierry Breton is the EU Commissioner responsible for strengthening Europe’s cybersecurity. He says Europe’s cyberspace is a new frontier which needs to be defended. And the creation of what he calls a cyber shield will be required.

Out words: my trip

Dur: 00:34

Control of tech giants needed for EU citizens & children – EU Commissioner

The EU Commissioner responsible for new rules to better regulate online digital platforms will discuss those plans during a visit to Dublin today (Thursday 09/11).  

Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, is leading the EU’s Digital Services Act Package which promises to create a safer, fairer and more open online digital space. It contains a range of plans to regulate digital services, including social media, online market places, and other major online platforms operating in the EU.

The Commission says the rules will tackle the spread of harmful content such as hate speech, terrorism or child sexual abuse material. And that they will help cut down on sales of illegal and dangerous goods and services online.

Commissioner Breton says the new rules are being brought in for the EU’s 445 million citizens including its children.

Out words: for us

Dur:00:33

EU has capacity to produce vaccine boosters for all EU adults - Exclusive Commissioner

The EU has enough capacity to produce booster doses of the Covid vaccine for all the adult population in the European Union.

That’s according to the European Commissioner Thierry Breton who will visit Ireland tomorrow (Thursday).

Speaking ahead of his trip (to EU News Radio), Commissioner Breton said the booster will “drastically” increase people’s immunity to the virus. And that it will help cope with new Covid waves including the omicron variant.

Out words: population

Dur: 00:35

Ireland to get almost a billion euro from Brexit adjustment fund

Ireland is to get almost a billion euro (€920.4m) to help deal with the economic impact of Brexit.

The European Commission this morning announced the decision to allocate €920.4 million to Ireland from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. It was set up to support EU countries effected by Brexit and it has a total value of €5.4 billion.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, the European Commission’s Vivian Loonela said Ireland is the biggest beneficiary of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and the first member state to receive pre-financing from it.

Out words: and training

Dur: 00:17

Irish winner of European innovation in politics prize – LONG CLIP

Long clip of Dr Michelle Maher, the programme manager of See her elected (SHE). It’s just won the 2021 Innovation in Politics award in the democracy category.  It’s the first time an Irish organisation has won the prize which was awarded in Brussels this week by the Innovation in Politics Institute.    

See Her Elected is a community-led, rural initiative that helps women get involved in local politics in the Midlands and Northwest region.

Out words: local elections

Dur: 01:50

European award winner urges women across rural Ireland to work now for 2024 elections

The Irish winner of a European award for innovation in politics is calling on women across rural Ireland to engage in local politics now so that they can run for the 2024 local elections.

Dr Michelle Maher is the programme manager of See her elected (SHE). It’s just won the 2021 Innovation in Politics award in the democracy category.  It’s the first time an Irish organisation has won the prize which was awarded in Brussels this week by the Innovation in Politics Institute.    

See her elected is a community-led, rural initiative that helps women get involved in local politics in the Midlands and Northwest region.

Dr Maher says it’s imperative that women across rural Ireland run for local election so they can influence decisions at a local level.

Out words: other women

Dur: 00:28

Covid booster doses needed for ongoing protection – EMA Short

The head of the European Medicines Agency says they are looking at “mix and match” booster strategies where the booster vaccine is different from the one used for primary vaccination.

Emer Cooke made those comments during an address to the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee this morning. She told MEPs, studies suggested such an approach could restore protection as effectively as a booster with the same vaccine.

Emer Cooke is recommending people take booster shots of Covid vaccines to ensure protection against the virus.

Out words: and disease

Dur: 00:27

Ireland has less Covid deaths than other EU countries with lower vaccinations – EMA Cooke

It’s becoming increasingly clear that people will need to extend their protection against the Covid virus with booster doses.

That’s according to Emer Cooke the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency who was speaking to a European Parliament Committee this morning. She said the effectiveness of vaccines is waning over time and that booster shots will become even more important with the new Covid variant.

However the EMA boss told MEPs less people have died of Covid in Ireland recently compared with other EU countries where less than half of the population is vaccinated.

Out words: provide protection

Dur: 00:45

Interview Galway sisters on €50k EU prize for wheelchair innovation

Karen Coleman (Editor EU News Radio) talks with Ailbhe and Izzy Keane who today in Brussels were awarded the Rising Innovator 2021 prize which is awarded to an exceptional female innovator under the age of 30. 

Ailbhe and Izzy Keane are the founders of Izzy Wheels which creates fashionable wheel covers for wheelchairs. The idea was inspired by Izzy who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from her waist down. Izzy has always seen her wheelchair as a symbol of freedom but never felt it expressed her personality. Ailbhe created a range of colourful wheel covers for her sister's chair as her final year project in The National College of Art and Design back in 2016. And the business grew from there. 

The first part of the interview is with Ailbhe Keane and then the second part (begins at 03:10) is with Izzy Keane. 

Out words: starter ever 

Dur: 05:35