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EU NEWS YOU CAN USE
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European Commission in Ireland
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In this issue
- 21 September
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Top News
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Irish farmers to get EU €250 m cash-flow boost
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The European Commission has agreed to increase the Basic Payment Scheme to Irish farmers from 50% to 70%. The payment, amounting to €250 million and due on October 16th, follows recent bad weather. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Affairs confirmed details and said: "These payments are necessary for Irish farmers who are struggling right now to pay their bills. Bad weather means that crop yields are down and stock needs extra feed. I'm happy to confirm the advance of 70% rather than the usual 50% that was planned, and we expect this will help cash-flow for farmers in difficulty".
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EU Canada Agreement to benefit Irish business
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Business opportunities for Irish companies look set to boom from today (21 September) as the new EU-Canada trade agreement comes in to effect.
At present, Irish exports to Canada are worth €1.4 billion per year but this will now increase under the deal.
Irish exports of pharmaceuticals and alcohol alone are worth just under €400 million per year.
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Path to Taxation of Digital Economy
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"The current tax framework does not fit with modern realities." So said the European Commission this week, as it announced its plan to tackle the issue of how to tax international digital companies. The aim is to ensure a coherent EU approach to taxing the digital economy. New rules could be set out as early as spring 2018.
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Cybersecurity
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The Commission has unveiled a wide-ranging cyber security package to deal with cyber-attacks: an EU cyber security agency to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks; a new European certification scheme for digital products and services; new rules to combat fraud for non-cash payments; a new framework to govern the free flow of non-personal data in the EU.
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European financial supervision
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The Commission this week agreed on wide-ranging proposals to reform the EU's financial supervisory architecture and to strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union. Once adopted, the proposals will improve the mandates, governance and funding of the European Supervisory Authorities for banking, for securities and financial markets and for insurance and pensions.
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New Industrial Policy Strategy
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The Commission has put forward a new Industrial Policy Strategy. The main new elements include: a strategy on plastics; improving the functioning of public procurement in the EU; better orienting private capital flows to more sustainable investments; a balanced and progressive trade policy and a European framework for the screening of foreign direct investments that may pose a threat to security or public order; a revised list of critical raw materials and new proposals for clean, competitive and connected mobility.
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Other news
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Inflation lowest in Ireland
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According to new Eurostat figures, Ireland continued to have the lowest inflation rate in the EU in August at 0.4% compared to EU and Euro Area respective averages of 1.7% and 1.5%. This was up from negative rates in July (-0.2%) and June (-0.6%). Lithuania (4.6%) and Estonia (4.2%) had the highest rates while Cyprus (0.5%) and Greece and Romania (0.6%) had the next highest rates. The main drivers of inflation in the EU in August were fuels transport fuels, accommodation services and air transport.
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Expert forum for EU border regions
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The Commission is launching a "Border Focal Point" to improve access to jobs and services such as health care and public transport systems, and facilitate cross-border business. The Border Focal Point will consist of Commission experts in cross-border issues, who will offer advice to national and regional authorities, by gathering and sharing good practices via a new EU-wide online network.
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Mis-selling of insurance products
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The Commission has acted to protect consumers buying insurance products in the EU. New rules will for the first time oblige insurers to prioritise the interest of consumers when designing, developing and distributing all insurance products from 2018 onwards. New conduct of business rules will give consumers more protection when they put their savings in insurance-based investment products, such as certain types of life-insurance policies. The rules will enter into force on 23 February 2018 following scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council.
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Climate change a serious issue for more than 9 in 10 Irish people
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A new EU survey shows that 91% of Irish respondents consider climate change to be a serious problem with 68% (up 8 percentage points since 2015) considering it a very serious problem. On average 92% of people in the EU consider climate change to be a serious problem with a high of 97% in Greece. The survey, which was carried out in March, also shows that 95% of Irish respondents take personal action to fight climate change, above the EU average of 90%.
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Two Irish partners in EU funded project to develop high quality grain proteins
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UCC and Cork SME Cybercolloids Ltd are partners in a €9 million EU-funded project to develop high-quality food proteins from different kinds of seeds (such as quinoa and amaranth) and grain legumes (lupin, faba bean and lentils). The Protein2Food project aims to increase by 10 percent Europe’s arable land destined to protein-crop production. The project covers the entire food supply chain including how these seeds and grain legumes can be cooked and appeal to consumers.
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EU & UN fund to eliminate violence against women & girls
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The European Union and the United Nations have launched a €500 million Spotlight Initiative to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Over the next few years, comprehensive programmes will be implemented to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, trafficking and economic (labour) exploitation, femicide, and domestic and family violence.
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Agenda
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Friday, 22 September to Friday 6 October: "The Quiet Land of Erin", Europe House, Dublin 2
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The European Commission Representation in Ireland and the Lithuanian Embassy in Ireland will host a photographic exhibition "The Quiet Land of Erin“, by photographer Daiva Mikuckaitė. The exhibition will be open to the public at Europe House, 12-14 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays from Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October. It will also be open to the public on Culture Night, 22 September, from 5 to 10 pm.
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Monday 25 September: General Affairs Council, Brussels
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The agenda for this meeting will be available in due course at the link below.
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Tuesday 26 September: The EU Investment Plan - what's in it for you?, Blanchardstown Library
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Blanchardstown Europe Direct Information Centre is holding a panel debate on the EU Investment Plan on Tuesday evening (7 pm), 26 September. The panel includes Professor John O'Brennan of NUI Maynooth, Dr Mary Murphy of UCC, and Andrea Carroll of the South Dublin Chamber. Further information is available on the link below.
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Wednesday 27 September: The Future of the EU27: Perspectives from Ireland and Sweden, IIEA, Dublin
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As part of the IIEA’s project on Ireland and the Future of the EU27, Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, and Helen McEntee T.D., Irish Minister for European Affairs, will address the Insitute to present their governments’ perspectives on the Future of the EU27 post Brexit. In their speeches, each Minister will outline the vision for the EU in their countries, and discuss areas of potential policy alignment betwen Ireland and like-minded countries, such as Sweden.
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Wednesday 27 September: The EU Investment Plan – what's in it for you?, Boxworks, Waterford City
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Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre is holding a panel debate on the EU Investment Plan on Wednesday evening (6 pm), 27 September. The panel includes Professor John O'Brennan of NUI Maynooth, Dr Mary Murphy of UCC, and Emma Kerins of Chambers Ireland. Further information is available on the link below.
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Thursday 28 September: Promoting and Financing Energy Efficiency in Ireland and the United Kingdom, Clontarf Castle, Dublin
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The European Commission, in partnership with the UN Environment Finance Initiative, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is organising a regional Conference on Promoting and Financing Energy Efficiency in Ireland and the United Kingdom, which will take place in Dublin (Clontarf Castle) on Thursday, 28 September 2017, from 9 am to 4.30 pm. The conference aims to engage policymakers and stakeholders in an informed discussion on ways to upscale energy efficiency investments. This includes sharing best practice on how to reach out to and engage SMEs in thinking about energy efficiency investments and presentation of the opportunities for unlocking the potential for energy efficiency investments in Ireland and the UK.
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Thursday 28 September: The EU Investment Plan – what's in it for you?, The Building Block, Bridge Street, Sligo
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Sligo Europe Direct Information Centre is holding a panel debate on the EU Investment Plan on Thursday evening (7 pm), 28 September. The panel includes Professor John O'Brennan of NUI Maynooth, Dr Mary Murphy of UCC, and Aidan Doyle of Sligo Chamber of Commerce. Further information is available on the link below.
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Friday 29 September: Tallinn Digital Summit, Tallinn (Estonia)
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The Estonian Presidency of the Council, in cooperation with the President of the European Council and with European Commission, is organising the Tallinn Digital Summit, which will bring together EU heads of state or government on 29 September 2017. The aim of the Summit is to serve as a platform for launching high-level discussions on plans for digital innovation enabling Europe to stay ahead of the technological curve and be a digital lead in the global world in the years to come.
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Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 October: Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Luxembourg
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Further information on this meeting will be available in due course at the link below.
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Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 October: Eurogroup meeting, Luxembourg
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Information on this meeting will be available in due course at the link below.
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Tuesday 10 October: Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Luxembourg
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Information on this meeting will be shortly at the link below.
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Public consultations
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Lowering the fingerprinting age for children in the visa procedure from 12 years to 6 years
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This public consultation will feed into a study on the necessity and proportionality of lowering the fingerprinting age for children in the visa procedure as a way to respond to concerns of children going missing, being victims of trafficking, child abduction, and irregular migration involving minors. The consultation is open until 9 November 2017.
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Review of the directive on the re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI Directive)
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The Commission is launching a public consultation in view of reviewing the directive on the re-use of public sector information (PSI Directive). The Commission is preparing an initiative on accessibility and re-use of public and publicly funded data, and is at the same time further exploring the issue of privately held data which are of public interest. The deadline is 12 December 2017.
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Security of EU citizens' documents
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The Commission has launched two public consultations to improve the security of EU citizens' documents. The first consultation will gather views on how to improve the security of identity cards and residence documents. The second consultation aims at evaluating the existing rules for emergency travel documents for people living or travelling outside the EU where their country does not have an embassy or consulate. Both consultations will run until 5 December 2017 and are open to all EU citizens.
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Calls for Tender/Proposals
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European Year for Cultural Heritage 2018: Commission launches a call for proposals
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The Commission has launched a call for proposals to fund transnational cooperation projects linked to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The call is an invitation to cultural actors such as concert halls, opera houses and theatre groups across the EU to get involved in the Year's activities to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. In total, €5 million is expected to be available for heritage projects. The Commission will favour projects that focus on awareness raising and communication activities, and which will make a long-term impact. The deadline for submission is 22 November 2017. Projects should start between January and September 2018, and run for a maximum duration of 24 months.
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