Government pledges faster wind farm approval process
The government has pledged to speed up the approval of major infrastructure projects after criticism from the European Union. A report by the former Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi,…
Over-the-date cosmetics ‘hazardous’
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is urging people not to use cosmetic products that are over the date. Six in ten Irish adults use cosmetics beyond their expiry or…
Households producing too much waste
Households across Ireland and the EU are producing too much waste and reusing and recycling too little, the EU’s independent auditors have warned. Ireland produces amongst the most waste per…
Alcohol-free gin cannot be called gin, rules EU court
The European Court of Justice has ruled that alcohol-free gin cannot include the word gin in the name. Judges have concluded that the name gin is “reserved for a specific…
McGrath to launch European Democracy Shield
Michael McGrath is expected to announce the launch of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience later today as the centrepiece of his efforts to protect European democracy from disinformation and…
McGrath to raise product safety concerns during China visit
Michael McGrath has promised to raise concerns about product safety – including children’s toys and electronics – during a trip to China this week. Ireland’s European Commissioner has a responsibility…
New rules on social media data access
Researchers have been granted what the EU is calling “unprecedented access” to social networks under new rules that come into force from today. “This act will grant access to non-public…
EU pressures Spain to drop Ryanair hand luggage fine
The European Commission has threatened to take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its hand luggage ruling. Last year, Spain’s Ministry for Consumer Affairs sanctioned five budget airlines:…
EU makes consumer rights label obligatory
All shops and online marketplaces will have to display a poster setting out consumer rights under a European law that comes into force next year. The law is designed to…
Ireland’s hazardous waste management ‘vulnerable’
Ireland is at severe risk of failing to deliver on its ability to deal with hazardous waste, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned. Although the amount of hazardous waste…