MEPs move to shut down Strasbourg seat

Ireland is on course to meet an EU target of cutting annual road deaths in half by 2020.

Car owners are facing annual NCT or MOT checks on cars over five years old while technical checks for scooters and motorbikes will be introduced for the first time under EU proposals.

AIRPORT fees that can double or treble the price of a bargain flight could take a tumble once airports reorganise the way they allocate the all-important slots.

Petrol and diesel-driven cars should be banned from cities across Europe by 2050 to slash dependence on oil and tackle climate change, the European Commission said today.

Petrol and diesel-driven cars should be banned from cities across Europe by 2050 to slash dependence on oil and tackle climate change, the European Commission said today.

The EU Commission today slammed Europe's air travel disruption as unacceptable and urged airports to "get serious" about better planning for bad weather.

TRANSPORT ministers in Europe have agreed to a green tax, whereby countries can charge heavy goods lorries using many of Europe’s main roads a special tax for causing noise and air pollution and further charges to discourage peak time driving.

THE travel tax, which is blamed for contributing to the drop in tourist numbers, is being investigated by the European Commission.

The European Commission today signalled approval of state aid for airlines in the wake of the volcanic ash crisis – as long as it does not amount to “unfair assistance” undermining competition.

The aviation industry today condemned European transport officials, claiming there has been “no co-ordination and no leadership” in the crisis that has shut down most European airports for a fifth day.

Air travellers hit by the grounding of all flights by the volcanic ash threat can still claim most of their EU rights even though the disruption is beyond airlines’ control, the European Commission confirmed tonight.

THE Government has been slammed for getting Iarnród Éireann a five-year exemption from new EU rules which give passengers compensation for late trains and lost luggage, better rights for disabled passengers and recourse to an independent complaints body.

The European Commission has published an emergency email address to help air passengers facing flight problems.

THE EU launched the second and final test satellite for its $5.3-billion (€3.4bn) rival to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) yesterday, brushing off industry doubts over its viability.

Tour de France organisers today began trying to hammer out a deal to see a stage of the race return to London without any sign of a breakthrough in the bitter rift which could threaten this year’s event.

THE Government can give State funds to Shannon to help start up new routes from the airport, according to the European Commission.

AIRLINES will have to carry wheelchairs and guide dogs for free and will also be banned from limiting the number of disabled people they carry on flights under new EU rules.

EUROPE’S taxpayers may have to fund the €3 billion Galileo satellite system after companies involved in a public-private partnership failed to agree this week.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is to come to the rescue of Aer Lingus in assisting it to open three routes into the US from the autumn.

European companies would be allowed larger stakes in US airlines under a tentative agreement reached between the US and European Union.

A STRICT limit on the size of hand luggage and the quantity of liquids to be taken on board airlines has been proposed by the European Commission.

The EU today hailed the success of the British authorities in disrupting a “major terrorist plot” aimed at blowing up several civilian airliners.

CHEAP air fares that turn out to be much more expensive than advertised are to be banned under new proposals from Brussels.

Millions will fall silent today for two minutes to mark the first anniversary of the July 7 London bombings.

THE Government has no plans to reduce the legal limit for drinking and driving, despite EU recommendations that the current limit creates a higher risk of accidents.

MORE than 300 “flying coffins” are to be banned by the EU from tomorrow in a new get-tough measure on unsafe airplanes.

The European Union is today expected to publish its first blacklist of airlines that fail to meet international safety standards.

PRIVATE bus firms, which oppose Government funding for State-owned CIE, yesterday demanded an independent regulator for public transport.

A MAJOR report on the road safety record of EU member states accuses Ireland of making only “limited progress” in reducing the number of road fatalities since 2001.

Corsica was nearly cut off from mainland Europe yesterday with strikes spreading to airports, maritime links severed and a rocket attack adding to mounting tensions.

New moves to encourage low-cost use of regional airports were announced by the European Commission today.

Undaunted by sceptics and clashes with MEPs over the appointment of his team, the new EC chief said today he was determined to lead a strong executive and build a competitive Europe.

On his first day in office, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso was under fire from the European Parliament, which urged him to suspend Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot.

EU transport ministers are considering calling off talks on an open skies deal with Washington until after the US presidential elections in November, officials said today.

A LANDMARK European Commission ruling next month on subsidies to regional airports could profoundly affect the business model of low-cost airline Ryanair and other bargain carriers, EU officials say.

NO special compensation package will be put in place for Shannon Airport when the stopover is abolished, the European Commission has warned.

THE European Commission was last night accused of abusing private citizens’ right by conceding to American pressure on a data protection controversy.

A total ban on single-hulled tankers carrying heavy fuel oil was ordered by Europe’s governments tonight.

The European Commission has published a blacklist of 66 allegedly dangerous merchant vessels, which it proposes should be banned from European waters, following the sinking of the Prestige off Spain.

The European Union has approved the Belgian government's plan to give Sabena airlines a short-term loan of £80m.