9546: EU TO UNVEIL MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS
Wednesday 20 May 2020
The European Commission will announce a series of measures today (Wednesday) aimed at driving improvements in agricultural practice to help in the
fight against climate change.
The package will address animal welfare, pesticides and areas where bio-diversity can be improved to protect the environment.
The measures will be part of the massive EU 'Green Deal' aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Gerry Kiely, Head of EU Representation in Ireland, says the initiative will ensure that farmers are compensated for changes in output.
Interviewee: Gerry Kiely | Clip duration: 0 minutes 19 seconds | Outwords: to be taken
9542: IRISH PEOPLE MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE COMPARED TO EU AVERAGE
Monday 18 May 2020
Irish people are more optimistic about the future than most of their EU counterparts despite the Covid-19 outbreak.
A new survey from the Dublin-based EU agency EUROFOUND carried out last month shows that 59 per cent of Irish people feel optimistic about the future compared to the EU average of 45 per cent.
This is despite the fact that 32 per cent of Irish
respondents reported they lost their jobs (or contracts in the case of
self-employed) either temporarily or permanently due to the COVID-19 crisis, compared to an EU average of 28 per cent.
Mary McCaughey of Eurofound says Irish trust in institutions has remained comparatively high in the past number of weeks despite the pandemic.
Interviewee: Mary McCaughey | Clip duration: 0 minutes 14 seconds | Outwords: areas, however have
9545: ACCEPTING FLIGHT CANCELLATION VOUCHER IS AT THE DISCRETION OF CONSUMER
Wednesday 13 May 2020
The European Consumer Centre says it's at the discretion of the consumer to accept an airline voucher for a flight cancellation.
Earlier today the European Commission said airlines must give passengers refunds for cancelled flights and can not force them to accept vouchers instead.
The Commission also called on EU member states to gradually re-open internal borders where the improving health situation allows.
Diana Valentine of the European Consumer Centre in Dublin says while the EU Commission believes a cash refund is the primary means of reimbursement, the decision to accept a voucher is the choice of the initial purchaser.
Interviewee: Diana Valentine | Clip duration: 0 minutes 20 seconds | Outwords: these or not
9544: EU TO ENCOURAGE AIRLINES TO OFFER INCENTIVES FOR CANCELLED FLIGHTS
Wednesday 13 May 2020
A range of
measures will be published by the European Commission today aimed at bringing the
tourism sector back to life.
The Commission will unveil details on how
to restore safe transport and connectivity offering Member States proposals to
put in place to minimise Covid-19 infections.
Measures for dealing with cancelled flight
bookings will also be announced.
Gerry Kiely, of the EU office in Dublin, says that if airlines want passengers to accept vouchers rather
than a reimbursement for cancelled flights then they need to make them
attractive.
Interviewee: Gerry Kiely | Clip duration: 0 minutes 20 seconds | Outwords: of the airlines
9543: EU TO UNVEIL MEASURES TO ASSIST TOURISM SECTOR
Wednesday 13 May 2020
The European
Commission will publish a range of measures later today (Wednesday) aimed at
revitalising the ailing tourism sector.
The so-called 'road map' will address health and
safety protocols for tourism locations and accommodation centres.
It's also expected to announce details on
relaxing EU internal borders.
Gerry Kiely, who heads up EU representation in
Ireland, says the guidelines unveiled today
will assist in getting the sector back to business.
Interviewee: Gerry Kiely | Clip duration: 0 minutes 19 seconds | Outwords: risk of contamination
9541: IRELAND SEES DECLINE IN NURSING NUMBERS
Tuesday 12 May 2020
Ireland recorded the biggest
decrease of nurses in the European Union last year.
New figures
from Eurostat show that the number of nurses and midwives in the Irish health
service fell by 0.6 per cent.
Today, May
12th, is the International Day to recognise the nursing profession.
Grace
Bolton of the EU office in Dublin says despite the decline in numbers, Ireland
is above the EU average when it comes to the number of nurses and midwives as a
percentage of the overall workforce.
Interviewee: Grace Bolton | Clip duration: 0 minutes 18 seconds | Outwords: one per cent