Archive - May 2016

12: EU IT DEAL ON HATE SPEECH

The days of writing hate speech or lingering defamatory remarks on social media sites are coming to an end.

The European Commission, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft have agreed a code of conduct which aims to end online xenophobia and defamation.

As part of the deal, IT companies will now monitor all online postings.

Ruth Deasy of the EU office in Dublin says where hate speech or libellous comments are written online, IT companies that are part of the deal will be obliged to remove them within 24 hours.

Interviewee: Ruth Deasy | Clip duration: 0 minutes 13 seconds | Outwords: within 24 hours

11: EU IRISH RURAL RESIDENCE STATS

42 per cent of Irish people live in rural areas, according to new figures out today.

This compares to the EU average of 27 per cent.

The figures from Eurostat show that people living in Irish towns and suburbs at 29.3% are at greater risk of poverty compared to those living in cities where the rate is 26.3%.

Ruth Deasy of the European Commission office in Dublin says living in rural areas remains popular with Irish people.

Interviewee: Ruth Deasy | Clip duration: 0 minutes 27 seconds | Outwords: 27 per cent

10: EU IRISH BATHING WATER QUALITY

Ireland continues to perform poorly for the quality of our coastal bathing water.

Figures published today by the European Commission show that bathing water quality here lags significantly behind that in Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.

However at 72 per cent, we are ahead of the UK, Latvia, Romania and Finland.

Ruth Deasy of the EU office in Dublin says the survey shows our inland water quality is somewhat better.

Interviewee: Ruth Deasy | Clip duration: 0 minutes 16 seconds | Outwords: bathing water quality

9: EU IRISH SPENDING ADVICE

The European Commission is advising the Irish Government to be more cautious on spending as the economy continues to improve.

It says the new Government here needs to invest wisely in key infrastructure projects that provide better value for money for the taxpayer.

The advice is contained in the annual EU Commission Country-specific recommendations Report issued to all member States, published today.

Graham Stull, European Semester Officer with the EU Commission office in Dublin, says the advice is for the Government to be careful at a time when the economy is growing fast.

Interviewee: Graham Stull | Clip duration: 0 minutes 14 seconds | Outwords: go too crazy

8: EU IRISH AIRLINE STATS

Two thirds of air passengers in the European Union bought their tickets online in 2014 according to new figures out today from Eurostat.

Top of the list was Finland where 90% of flight tickets were bought online while 64 per cent of consumers in that country bought accommodation using the internet.

75% of Irish people bought airline tickets online during the same period while 56% of us purchased accommodation.

Ruth Deasy of the European Commission office in Dublin says more and more Europeans are buying their flights through an internet device.

Interviewee: Ruth Deasy | Clip duration: 0 minutes 20 seconds | Outwords: and internet savvy

7: EU IRISH ENGAGEMENT INCREASES

Irish politicians are more engaged with EU institutions than ever before according to a report published today by the European Movement.

It shows that in 2015 the Taoiseach had a 100% attendance record at Council meetings.

Irish Ministers had a 91% attendance record which puts us in the top ten out of 28 member States while MEPs had an 89% attendance rate in the European Parliament.

Noelle O'Connell of the European Movement in Ireland says Irish voices are increasingly having more influence on the future direction of Europe.

Interviewee: Noelle O'Connell | Clip duration: 0 minutes 19 seconds | Outwords: relationship with Europe

6: EU IRISH FANS ADVISORY

The European Consumer Centre is advising Irish soccer fans heading to the Euro Soccer Championships to make sure all flights to France are confirmed in writing.

It's estimated that close on 20,000 Irish supporters will attend the games at which the Republic will play their opening match against Sweden on June 13th.

The European Consumer Centre has been issuing weekly tips to prevent rip-offs and raise awareness of Rights under EU law.

Spokesperson Martina Nee says there are a number of things fans should do before traveling to France.

Interviewee: Martina Nee | Clip duration: 0 minutes 20 seconds | Outwords: to the hotel