State aid: Commission approves €11.2 million Irish scheme to support producers of tillage and protein crops in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €11.2 Irish scheme to support the agriculture sector, in particular producers of tillage and protein crops, in the context of Russian invasion of Ukraine.  The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) TFEU, recognising that […]

€750 billion Recovery Plan Could Help to Avoid Austerity in Post-COVID-19 Ireland

Responding to today’s launch of the European Commission’s €750 billion COVID-19 Recovery Plan, Green Party MEPs Grace O’Sullivan and Ciarán Cuffe say they are broadly welcoming of the plan, which they describe as having the potential to play a part in creating a socially, economically and environmentally resilient Europe, and avoiding a descent into austerity […]

McDonald’s and Other Closures require EU Commission Action – IFA

IFA President Tim Cullinan said the decision by McDonald’s to close its restaurants here and in the UK will put further pressure on the beef sector. “Unfortunately, this is what’s happening across Europe where closures have had an impact on the food service sector. However, some of this has been mitigated by an increase in […]

EU Commission to help workers in event of ‘no deal’ Brexit – Hogan

Statement by Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development This morning (4 September 2019), the European Commission adopted the latest in a series of Brexit Preparedness Communications, in which we reiterated our call to all stakeholders to prepare for a no-deal scenario. In order to help businesses that trade with the UK, we […]

IFA Says No Area Must Lose Out In ANC Review

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has said sufficient flexibilities are available to ensure areas currently designated as ANC can be fully protected in the upcoming review. Minister Creed must give assurances to farmers that they will not lose out in the upcoming ANC review when maps are published later this year.   Joe Brady […]

EU Commission Setting DangerousTrade Precedent Without Debate – Carthy

Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy has called on Tánaiste & Trade Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, to ensure a full public debate on the proposed EU Investor Court before public services are put at risk.  Commenting on reports that EU and Japan are due to reach a final agreement on a Free […]

EU Commission says evictions are the result of Irish government policy – Carthy

Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy, has stated that the European Commission has acknowledged that the Irish Goverment’s merciless policy choices have led to a substantial increase in family home repossessions. Carthy, who is a member of the EU parliament’s economic & Monetary Affairs Committee, stated that the Commission’s response to […]

EU Commission Unable To Comment On Pylon Health Risks – Jim Higgins Midlands-North-West MEP

n a recent reply to Midlands-North-West MEP Jim Higgins, the Commission indicated that they could not guarantee that exposure to pylons does not pose adverse health effects.   “As far as I’m concerned if there’s even a shred of a doubt that pylons pose adverse health effects then the proposal should be immediately withdrawn.”   […]