EU News Radio

EU not successful in de-escalating Middle East conflict – MacNeill

The EU has not been successful in implementing policies and steps to influence a “de-escalation” of the conflict in the Middle East. That’s according to Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who was speaking in Luxembourg ahead of an EU General Affairs Council meeting today.

She says EU states need to reflect on the July judgement of the International Court of Justice. It declared that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, was unlawful.

Out words: of that judgement

Dur:  00:23

Israel wants to drive “eyes and ears” out of S. Lebanon – Martin

Tánaiste Micheál Martin says Israel wants to drive the “eyes and ears” out of South Lebanon and give itself “free reign” in the area.  He was speaking this morning in Luxembourg ahead of a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs ministers. Mr Martin’s comments follow demands by Israel that UNIFIL forces withdraw from Southern Lebanon.

Out words: of that

Dur: 00:22

Ireland has highest % increase in road deaths in EU in 2023

Ireland had the highest percentage increase in road deaths in the EU in 2023. That’s according to a new European Commission report out this week.  It shows that road deaths in Ireland are continuing to trend upwards although the rate of deaths per million inhabitants remains below the EU average. Last year, one hundred and eighty four people (184) were killed on Irish roads.

Helen Kearns from the European Commission in Ireland, explains what the figures show about Ireland’s record on road safety for 2023.  

Out words: across Europe

Dur: 00:24

Ukraine top of EU Finance ministers meeting – EU Gentiloni

Ukraine was top of the agenda today at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg. They discussed a new package of proposals put forward by the European Commission. The recommendations include multi-billion euro loans to Ukraine to help it deal with the economic fallout of the war. The loans will be serviced and repaid by revenues generated from immobilised Russian assets. The Commission is also proposing  changing the EU’s sanction regime for immobilised Russian assets, from six months to every three years.

The EU’s Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, said the measures send a clear message to the Kremlin that “they will pay directly for the damage caused by its war of aggression”. 

Out words: immediate needs

Dur: 00:09

Ireland one of lowest EU rates of overcrowded households for young

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of over-crowding in houses for young people in the EU. That’s according to the latest Eurostat figures out this week. Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia have the highest overcrowded households rates for young people. By contrast, the lowest rates were found in Malta, Cyprus and Ireland where the rate was just 4.4%. 

Helen Kearns, head of Communications in the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland explains more. 

Out words: overcrowded households 

Age of young Irish leaving parental home 28 - EU

The average age of young people in Ireland leaving the parental home was twenty eight (28) in 2023. That’s above the EU average of 26.3 years. And it’s gone up since 2022 when it was 26.9. That’s according to the latest Eurostat figures out this week. But other EU countries like Italy, Spain and Slovenia have even higher leaving ages. And Croatia tops the list. There, the average age of a young person leaving the parental home, was nearly thirty two (31.8) last year. 

Helen Kearns, head of Communications in the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, says a range of issues impact access to housing across the EU particularly for young people. 

Out words: housing crisis 

Dur: 00:25

EU urges ‘global ambition’ ahead of COP29

Ursula von der Leyen has urged countries around the world to meet global climate ambitions. The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, will take place in Azerbaijan in November. At the last COP, world leaders accepted that deep cuts to emissions are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C and that richer countries would have to help developing countries pay for the transition. Speaking at the Global Renewables Summit in New York, the European Commission President said Europe was well on the way to its targets, but others need to do more.

 

Out words: with life

Dur: 0’59”

Israel-Lebanon ‘almost full-fledged war’ - Borrell

Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have escalated the situation close to all out war, Josep Borrell has warned. The EU’s foreign affairs chief was in Lebanon just a few days before the explosion of dozens of pagers and walkie talkies. Since then, Israel and Hezbollah have been firing an increasing number of rockets at each other. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN in New York, Josep Borrell said he is alarmed by the spill over of conflict in the Middle East.

 

Out words: More victims

Dur: 00’17”

Irish farmers must be properly paid - McConalogue

Farmers must be properly paid through the EU into the future, says Charlie McConalogue. EU agriculture ministers are meeting in Brussels today. The current Common Agricultural Policy runs until 2027, but with pressure on the EU’s budget, money is on the ministers’ minds. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has promised a ‘vision for agriculture’ within the first 100 days of her new term. Speaking in Brussels this morning, Charlie McConalogue, urged the EU to put farmers first for the long term.

 

Out words: Food sustainably

Dur: 00’16”

Traditional Irish producers encouraged to seek special EU status

Producers of authentic food and drink products are being encouraged to seek special EU quality marks that would help promote their products and fight off competition. During this week’s Ploughing Championships, the European Commission will be raising awareness of the EU’s Geographical Indications programme. It awards quality marks to special produce. Three thousand (3,000) products across the EU have a GI (Geographical Indication) quality mark, but only thirteen (13)of these are Irish.

Helen Kearns, Head of Communications at the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, is encouraging people to visit their tent at the Championships to find out more about getting a GI quality mark.

Out words: all around

Dur: 00:38