EU News Radio

Galway sisters scoop €50k EU prize for wheelchair innovation

Two sisters from Galway were today awarded an EU female innovation prize worth fifty thousand euro (€50,000). 

Izzy and Ailbhe 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. 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 sisters won the EU Rising Innovator 2021 prize which is awarded to an exceptional innovator under the age of 30. Izzy Keane explained why their range of colourful wheel covers mean so much for wheelchair users like her.

Out words: starter ever

Dur: 00:36

Irish sisters win major EU innovation award – Izzywheels

Two young Irish sisters have just won a major EU prize for women innovators. Izzy and Ailbhe Keane won the Rising Innovator 2021 prize which is awarded to an exceptional innovator under the age of 30. 

The sisters 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. 

The sisters will receive a fifty thousand euro (€50,000) cash prize for their innovative business. Izzy Keane said winning the prize means an awful lot to wheelchair users like her.

Out words: my community

Dur: 00:38      

EU proposes new Covid travel rules – Didier

The EU this morning announced details of its proposed new Covid rules on the coordination of safe and free movement in the EU.

The Commission is recommending that a person who has a valid EU digital covid cert shouldn’t be subject to additional restrictions such as tests or quarantine. That would apply regardless of their place of departure in the EU. But those without a Covid cert could be required to undergo a test carried out prior to or after arrival.

The Commission is also proposing a standard acceptance period of nine months for the vaccination certs following the completion of the original two vaccine shots. And they say they will closely monitor newly emerging scientific evidence on the effectiveness of booster shots.

The Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders announced details of the recommended rules this morning.

Out words: the European union  

Dur: 00:40

EU boss threatens sanctions over Belarus people trafficking

The head of the EU says plans are underway to impose a series of sanctions against transport operators facilitating human smuggling or trafficking of people to the EU’s borders with Belarus.

Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament today that the EU is coordinating sanctions with the United States, Canada and the UK. 

It’s been alleged that some of the planes that are being used to fly people in from the Middle East to Belarus to get to the EU, are leased through aircraft leasing companies in Ireland.

Out words: are doing

Dur: 00:30

EU ‘must remain extremely vigilant’ on Covid - Michel

Many EU member states are facing a further wave of Covid 19. And in most EU countries, the intensive care beds in hospitals are mainly occupied by patients who are not vaccinated or are only partially vaccinated.

That’s according to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who was speaking in the European Parliament this afternoon. She told MEPs vaccinated people are much less likely to become severely ill or die from the virus.

The President of the European Council Charles Michel, also spoke to the Parliament about Covid. Mr Michel is from Belgium where cases are increasing. He urged people across the EU to remain vigilant.

Out words: of vaccines

Dur: 00:40

Ireland spent lowest ratio of GDP on household goods in EU in 2020

People across the EU spent considerably less money on restaurants and hotels in 2020. Spending on clothing and footwear and recreation and culture also dropped significantly.

But there was an increase in spending on the likes of food and non-alcoholic beverages and on communications and housing, electricity, gas and other fuels.

That’s according to the latest EuroStat figures on household consumption expenditure in 2020 that were published today.   

The Covid pandemic was the reason for the dramatic decline in spending on certain goods.

However, Ireland had the lowest level of household expenditure as a ratio to GDP in 2020 within the EU. Grace Bolton, from the European Commission’s Ireland office explains why.

Out words: wage levels

Dur: 00:28

Northern Ireland ‘can benefit immensely’ from EU-UK market access – Maroš Šefčovič

The Vice president of the European Commission has warned the UK needs to reciprocate what he called the significant move the EU has made on the Northern Ireland protocol.

Maroš Šefčovič made the comments today during an online address to Dublin City University’s Brexit Institute. He said he welcomed the recent change of tone from the UK government and that he hoped actions will follow their words.

Commissioner Šefčovič also said Northern Ireland is a unique place to invest because of its access to two major markets.

Out words: to invest

Dur: 00:38

EU aims for Healthy soil by 2050

A new EU initiative to have healthy soils by 2050 was launched in Brussels today (Wednesday 17/11).

The European Commission announced details of its EU Soil Strategy which sets out a raft of measures for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of soils in the bloc.

Every year about one billion tons of soil are washed away by erosion in the EU leading to an estimated €1.25 billion loss of agricultural production annually.

The EU’s Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries  - Virginijus Sinkevičius - says aiming for healthy soils by 2050 will be essential to fight climate change.  

Out words: every year

Dur: 00:17

Coffee, soy, palm oil & cocoa in the EU firing line

Some of our favourite products like coffee, soy and cocoa could be harder to get in the future following new EU proposals to protect forests that were announced today.    

The European Commission wants to guarantee that products EU citizens buy and consume on the EU market, do not contribute to damaging forests. The development of land linked to commodities like coffee and cocoa has led to forest degradation in certain parts of the world.

The Commission is proposing rules for companies to ensure that only deforestation-free and legal products are allowed on the EU market.

The European Commission’s executive vice-president Frans Timmermans today said the new rules were needed to promote sustainable consumption.

Out words: produced legally

Dur: 00:37

“Trash is Cash” Commission calls for new waste shipment rules

The European Commission is calling for new rules on the shipment of waste from the EU to other countries. The Commission is proposing that waste exports to non-OECD countries be restricted.

They’ll only be allowed if third countries are willing to receive certain wastes and are able to manage them sustainably. The proposals call for waste shipments to OECD countries to be monitored. And they can be suspended if they generate serious environmental problems in the country of destination.

Today the European Commission’s Executive vice-president Frans Timmermans said the new rules would boost the circular economy and ensure the EU’s waste stops looting third countries.

Out words: made easier

Dur: 00:35