Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Byrne not expecting Mercosur deal vote until January

Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said that he did not expect a vote on the Mercosur trade deal until January.

Business • 16 Dec

Aftermath of a nighttime FAB-250 guided bomb attack on a residential area in the old town of Kramatorsk, Ukraine

EU sanctions needed while Russia occupies Ukraine - Byrne

EU sanctions should stay in place so long as Russia occupies Ukrainian territory, Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said.

World • 16 Dec

EU to present measures on tackling Europe housing crisis

The European Commission is set to unveil a package of measures aimed at tackling the housing crisis across Europe.

Europe • 16 Dec

Ukraine's President Volodymyr ZelenskY and Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska disembark at Dublin Airport.

Drones during Zelensky visit 'part of threat' - minister

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that drones identified over Dublin Bay last week during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit were "generated for the purpose of putting pressure on EU and Ukrainian interests".

Ireland • 08 Dec

A local resident and firefighters look on at a fire in a damaged private house following a drone attack to Kyiv on November 29

EU plan for €210bn in frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv

The European Commission has brought forward a legal proposal to potentially use up to €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine in the coming years.

Ukraine • 03 Dec

Helen McEntee speaking at a press conference.

McEntee to raise issue of tariffs at EU-US meeting

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee is expected to raise the issue of US tariffs on Ireland's medical devices sector, as well as pharmaceuticals, agrifood and whiskey exports, when EU trade ministers meet senior US trade officials in Brussels today.

Europe • 24 Nov

A head and shoulders image of a man with light grey hair. He is wearing a dark suit, dark tie and a white shirt. The background is green.

Citywest example of 'best practice' - EU migration chief

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has said Ireland is "very well" placed to adopt the Migration and Asylum Pact, and described the Citywest accommodation centre for International Protection applicants as an example of "best practice".

Ireland • 24 Nov

Head shots of Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin

Peace plan: Capitulation to Moscow or start of a process?

Fears amid peace plan that Donald Trump's dislike of Ukraine and admiration of Vladimir Putin now at a final reckoning, writes Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 22 Nov

ICCL accepts error over letter from European Commission

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) has accepted that it mistook a letter from the European Commission as pertaining to the appointment of Niamh Sweeney to the Data Protection Commission in September, when it in fact related to a separate ICCL complaint to Brussels.

Europe • 21 Nov

three european union flags on flag poles outside a building

Commission eyes measures to boost supplementary pensions

The European Commission will propose measures to boost supplementary pensions amid concerns that a shrinking workforce and ageing populations will mean that national pensions will become stretched over time.

Business • 20 Nov