Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

'At least a year' before agreement on EU budget - Byrne

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said it will take at "at least a year" before there is agreement on the next EU budget, amid tensions between the European Parliament and the European Commission over the structure of the seven-year budget.

Europe • 17 Nov

The Moldovan and European Union flags are displayed on the Government House of Moldova

EU Democracy Shield: the slings, arrows of disinformation

Officials say the Democracy Shield is designed to support frontline accession countries but also to galvanise European societies into recognising the threat posed to democracies, writes Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 17 Nov

The promise of an EU-UK veterinary agreement was a key element of the EU-UK summit in May

EU gives green light for talks with UK on agri-food

EU member states have given the green light for Brussels to begin negotiations with the UK over an agri-food and animal health agreement, which could considerably ease friction on goods moving across the Irish Sea.

Europe • 14 Nov

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath stands at a podium during a media event

EU launches 'Democracy Shield' to combat disinformation

Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has launched the so-called Democracy Shield, the EU's latest effort to combat electoral disinformation and interference, including the rise in AI deep fakes.

Europe • 12 Nov

ECJ upholds legality of EU's minimum wage directive

The European Court of Justice has upheld the legality of the EU's minimum wage directive following a legal challenge by Denmark to have the directive in its entirety annulled.

Europe • 11 Nov

The 25 EU nation's flags fly at the flag raising ceremony during the EU expansion in Dublin 1 May, 2004

EU enlargement: No Big Bang, just a challenging trickle

The European Commission is attempting to keep the accession process within its procedural guardrails, much to the frustration of those who believe that Europe faces a defining moment, writes Tony Connolly.

Analysis and Comment • 14 Nov

A yellow crane looming over an almost complete apartment building site surrounded by scaffolding

Campaigners highlight scale of housing crisis across EU

A European Parliament hearing on the housing crisis has heard testimony about the scale of homelessness and the lack of affordable homes across the European Union.

Europe • 05 Nov

EU countries agree deal on 2040 climate target

EU environment ministers have reached agreement on the bloc's 2040 climate target following all-night negotiations in Brussels.

Climate Change • 05 Nov

Four European flags fluttering against the Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels

EU ministers yet to agree 2040 target for emissions cuts

EU environment ministers have yet to reach agreement on a 2040 target for cutting carbon emissions following a first round of interventions at their emergency meeting in Brussels this morning.

Climate Change • 04 Nov

McGrath to visit China amid boom in 'dangerous' products

Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath will visit China this week to meet senior government figures to discuss the protection of EU consumers, with concerns about the volumes of potentially dangerous products entering Europe from China amid a boom in low-value e-commerce purchases.

Business • 03 Nov