# consumer affairs (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover consumer affairs. Page: Feed: --- ## [Taoiseach congratulates Andy Burnham](https://www.newsireland.eu/taoiseach-congratulates-andy-burnham/) _2026-07-20 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ The Taoiseach has congratulated Andy Burnham on becoming the new UK Prime Minister following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Micheál Martin signalled that the pair already had a working relationship. Burnham was previously Mayor of Greater Manchester before a dramatic series of events saw him propelled into his new job in Downing Street. Andy Burnham is \[…\] ## [Oil spike squeezes Ryanair profits](https://www.newsireland.eu/oil-spike-squeezes-ryanair-profits/) _2026-07-20 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ Ryanair has reported profits down by one third in the period April to June this year as a result of an “oil price spike”. Profits after tax fell from €820 million between April to June 2025 to €538 million in the same period this year. Ryanair said the drop was “primarily due to the impact \[…\] ## [Farmed genes in one third of wild Atlantic salmon](https://www.newsireland.eu/farmed-genes-in-one-third-of-wild-atlantic-salmon/) _2026-07-17 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ Farmed salmon genes can be found in one third of wild Atlantic salmon populations around Ireland, according to a new study. Rivers affected by “genetic introgression” – genes that have been passed from farmed salmon to wild salmon – were found “throughout the country,” researchers found. In one third of the wild Atlantic salmon populations \[…\] ## [EU waters down ETS](https://www.newsireland.eu/eu-waters-down-ets/) _2026-07-17 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ The European Commission has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its flagship Emissions Trading System (ETS), offering heavy industrial polluters more time to cut emissions in exchange for guaranteed domestic investment. The European Commission says the proposals seek to balance the EU’s ambitious 2040 climate targets with the harsh economic realities facing European manufacturers. The EU’s \[…\] ## [EU orders ‘hey Google’ to be opened to rivals](https://www.newsireland.eu/eu-orders-hey-google-to-be-opened-to-rivals/) _2026-07-16 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ The European Commission has ordered Google to allow competitors to be able to offer voice commands on Android apps so that consumers can choose alternative AI assistants if they want to. The European Commission said the way Android is set up at the moment, Google’s own AI assistant, Gemini, has a significant advantage because it \[…\] ## [EU approves electricity discount for Irish energy-intensive industries](https://www.newsireland.eu/eu-approves-electricity-discount-for-irish-energy-intensive-industries/) _2026-07-16 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ The European Commission has approved a government scheme to provide up to €300 million in temporary electricity price relief to Irish energy-intensive companies. Companies will be able to claim back a share of their electricity costs for a maximum of three years. The scheme will be backdated to run from last summer up until 2029. \[…\] ## [Derogation could be exacerbating nitrate pollution](https://www.newsireland.eu/derogation-could-be-exacerbating-nitrate-pollution/) _2026-07-15 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ Special rules allowing Irish farmers to continue to spread significant amounts of manure may be leading to increased pollution levels and embedding bad habits. The European Commission has published the results of its first comprehensive evaluation of the Nitrates Directive since its adoption back in 1991. It found that the law remains “effective to protect Europe’s waters from agricultural nitrate… ## [Experts advise EU-wide social media and websites banned for children](https://www.newsireland.eu/experts-advise-eu-wide-social-media-and-websites-banned-for-children/) _2026-07-14 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ Experts have advised the EU to put in place a Europe-wide ban on children accessing social media and other websites that may contain inappropriate content. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, commissioned the Special Panel on Child Safety Online to consider the best way forward in the wake of growing concerns \[…\] ## [EU approves extra support for farmers battling high fertiliser prices](https://www.newsireland.eu/eu-approves-extra-support-for-farmers-battling-high-fertiliser-prices/) _2026-07-13 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ The Council of the European Union has approved “urgent and targeted financial support” to farmers struggling with high fertiliser prices as a result of the war in the Middle East. An extra €300 million will be injected into the EU’s agricultural reserve meaning half a billion Euro will be available to support farmers. “Recent disruptions \[…\] ## [Snapshot Showdown on Google Play (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/EHeF9Xqn5DF6) _2026-07-13 · **Sponsored**_ Available on Google Play for Android devices. ## [EU aid for horticulture](https://www.newsireland.eu/eu-aid-for-horticulture/) _2026-07-10 · I3r8e0l1a9n3d · NewsIreland.EU_ European Commission announced on Friday that it had approved €2 million Irish State aid for horticulture companies facing increased fuel prices. Announcement in full: “The European Commission has approved a €2 million Irish State aid scheme for horticulture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the \[…\]