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RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Two TDs reiterate support for Govt after backing SF bill
The two Independent TDs who voted against the Government in the Dáil last night have insisted that they will continue to support the Coalition in the time ahead. Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole backed a Sinn Féin bill that would have prevented the Irish Central Bank from approving the prospectus which allows Israel to sell bonds in the European Union. The Government won the vote by a margin of 87 votes to 75. But two Independent TDs, who backed the Governenment in every other vote in the 34th Dáil and who were part of the government formation talks, sided with the Opposition last night. Mr Heneghan said it was a matter of conscience and Ireland should not facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza. Meath East TD Gillian Toole cited the lack of a detailed briefing from the Government on the impact the Sinn Féin bill would have on EU Law. The Government stated the bill was unworkable and not in compliance with EU law. Mr Heneghan and Ms Toole have said they will continue to support the Coalition overall in the time ahead. However, their vote illustrates that the Government is coming under increasing pressure to take furher action against Israel. The Taoiseach told the Dáil yesterday that the most effective response to what is happening in Gaza is to persuade people in the EU and the US to pull their support from the state of Israel because of its actions.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Ryanair welcomes complaint regarding hand luggage fees
Ryanair has welcomed the filing of a complaint with the European Commission against it and six other European airlines over fees charged for hand luggage. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) filed the complaint last week, alleging the carriers are charging "undue fees to consumers for their hand baggage". It is calling for an EU-wide investigation into the commercial practices of the targeted airlines and the wider sector. Ryanair, along with EasyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air are listed in the complaint. Director General of BEUC Agustín Reyna said the seven airlines "are exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU's top court, which ruled that charging for reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal." "This was confirmed by recent fines in Spain, which made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost," he added. In response, Ryanair said the complaint "will confirm that Ryanair's baggage policy fully complies with EU Law (EU Reg 1008/2008), which grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices, including prices of optional services". The airline added that it allows each passenger a "generous" 40cm x 25cm x 20cm personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an additional fee should they wish. It said "this policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers". In 2014, the EU Court of Justice ruled that "carriage of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements". Ryanair said this ruling confirmed that "airlines are entitled to charge passengers for carrying extra bags, as long as the carriage of passengers' precious and indispensable items (i.e, a small personal bag) is included in the price of the ticket". In addition to the complaint over hand baggage, the European Consumer Organisation also wants the EU to clarify what services should be included in the basic ticket price. It said its data "show that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets." "Policymakers should also define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money," it added.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU Commissioner for Democracy: serious concerns about rule of law situation in Hungary
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission has serious concerns about the rule of law situation in Hungary, EU Commissioner for Democracy Michael McGrath said in Brussels ahead of a meeting with European foreign affairs ministers. Referring to a Hungarian draft law that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities, McGrath said: "We believe it is a breach of EU law... And we have asked the Hungarian government to withdraw that draft law. And in the absence of that happening, and should they proceed to legislate and enact this legislation, we stand ready to use the tools at our disposal."
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
EU Commissioner for Democracy: serious concerns about rule of law situation in Hungary
BRUSSELS, May 27 (Reuters) - The European Commission has serious concerns about the rule of law situation in Hungary, EU Commissioner for Democracy Michael McGrath said in Brussels ahead of a meeting with European foreign affairs ministers. Referring to a Hungarian draft law that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities, McGrath said: "We believe it is a breach of EU law... And we have asked the Hungarian government to withdraw that draft law. And in the absence of that happening, and should they proceed to legislate and enact this legislation, we stand ready to use the tools at our disposal."
The Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Calls for EU-investigation into seven airlines - including Ryanair - for unfair hand luggage fees
AN UMBRELLA GROUP for European consumer organisations has called for an EU-wide investigation into seven airlines – including Ryanair – for charging 'undue fees' for hand baggage. BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, this week filed a complaint to the European Commission and the EU's Consumer Protection Network against the seven airlines for 'exploiting consumers'. Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, said the airlines are 'ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal'. In addition to Ryanair, the other airlines targeted include Easyjet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizzair. BEUC said that both EU law and associated case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) entitle consumers to fly with reasonably sized hand baggage without additional costs. However, it said many airlines 'continue to impose additional fees on consumers for this service'. It noted that last year, the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs imposed fines on airlines for a total of €179m in relation to fees on hand baggage. While BEUC acknowledges that the decision was issued in Spain and mainly applies to consumers in Spain, similar practices by the same airlines and others are still taking place across Europe. Reyna said this court decision in Spain 'made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost'. BEUC also accused airlines of using 'different and inconsistent wording' in relation to luggage in order to 'mislead consumers'. Meanwhile, the CEJU has ruled that baggage that is not checked in must be considered as a necessary item for passengers and there should not be subject to a price supplement if it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions. Elsewhere, Reyna remarked that data from BEUC shows that consumers 'expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets'. 'Policymakers should define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money,' he added. In a statement to The Journal , a Ryanair spokesperson said the airline 'welcomed the filing of this complaint to the EU Commission, which will confirm that Ryanair's bags policy fully complies with EU Law, which grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices'. Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a 40 x 25 x 20 cm personal bag on board for free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an extra fee starting at €30 per flight, and €60 if done at the airport. While Ryanair described its personal bag allowance as 'generous', it is smaller than all the other airlines targeted by BEUC. 'If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers,' said Ryanair. Ryanair also hit out at online travel agents, who the spokesperson said 'continue to induce unsuspecting consumers into paying unjustified hidden mark-ups for flights that cost much less when booked directly on airlines' websites'. 'Outlawing these harmful OTA overcharges and enforcing transparency in OTA pricing would be a much better use of BEUC and its members' resources,' said Ryanair. Meanwhile, A4E (Airlines for Europe) claimed the action by BEUc 'would decrease consumer choice and oblige all passengers to pay for additional services that they may not all need'. It added that the decision of the Spanish Consumer Protection Agency on cabin bags is currently under appeal and the European Commission is looking into whether it complies with EU law. Advertisement Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
