Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath will meet political and business leaders, as well as consumer organisations in both countries

EU Commissioner McGrath on visit to South Korea, Japan

Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath is on a visit to South Korea and Japan as the European Union continues to seek to strengthen alliances in the wake of US President Donald Trump's aggressive approach to global trade.

Business • 15 Sep

US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Are tariffs actually working for Donald Trump and the US?

Are the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump working, or has the flurry of horse-trading that followed mean things have more or less stayed the same for industries in European countries?

Clarity • 14 Sep

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her annual State of the Union address

EU chief delivers combative speech amid mounting pressure

On the eve of the first State of the European Union speech of her second term, those close to Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged it was a critical moment.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Sep

Murphy elected president of ECA for second time

Tony Murphy, Ireland's member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), has been elected president of the court for a second time, with a fresh three-year term beginning 1 October.

Europe • 11 Sep

The letter also calls on the 13 member states which have not yet done so to join 147 UN members in recognising the State of Palestine (file image)

Ex-EU ambassadors call for suspension of EU-Israel deal

Over 300 former EU and member state ambassadors, as well as former EU officials, have written a joint letter calling on the EU to immediately suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to impose targeted sanctions on members of the Israeli government.

Europe • 10 Sep

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and France's President Emmanuel Macron speak during a press conference following the Coalition of the Willing Summit, at the Elysee presidential Palace, in Paris

What form could Ukraine's security guarantees take on?

The dynamics between the Trump administration and Europe on Ukraine have shifted, with the meeting of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' in Paris this week representing an important inflection point.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Sep

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said the European Commission had set out a robust bilateral safeguard mechanism for EU farmers (file image)

McGrath urges 'open mind' on Mercosur trade deal

Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has urged member states to keep an open mind on the EU Mercosur trade agreement "based on the facts".

World • 03 Sep

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg

EU chief's plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming

The European Commission has confirmed that President von der Leyen's plane was subject to suspected Russian GPS jamming as it attempted to land in Bulgaria yesterday.

Europe • 01 Sep

Two soldiers watch as a car passes by them in Lebanon

Harris seeks EU support for Lebanon army training mission

The Tánaiste is to propose a new initiative to support southern Lebanon, which could see EU countries work together in the coming months to train, equip and build up the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Middle East • 29 Aug

Palestinians children, who are struggling to access food due to Israel's blockade and ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip, wait in line to receive hot meals distributed by the charity organization in Gaza City, Gaza

Sweden, Netherlands call to suspend EU trade with Israel

Sweden and the Netherlands have jointly called for the EU to suspend trade with Israel in response to what they call the "extremely disturbing and intolerable" humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Europe • 28 Aug