Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, over one million refugees fled into Europe (file image)

Decisions over Syrian asylum must comply with rules - EU

The European Commission has said that the decision to return Syrian refugees and asylum seekers is the preserve of individual member states, but that under EU law, return procedures must be based on individual assessments of asylum applications.

Middle East • 10 Dec 24

President of the Italian Young Farmers' Organisation Enrico Parisi holds a sign reading 'Stop Mercosur' during a protest in Brussels

Govt to scrutinise EU-Mercosur deal, says McConalogue

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said the Government will carefully scrutinise the detail of the EU-Mercosur trade deal before concluding whether or not Ireland will support or oppose the agreement.

Europe • 09 Dec 24

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shaking hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

EU-Mercosur: Breakthrough trade deal but at what cost?

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement has landed at a heightened moment in European politics. French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement saying the deal in its current form was "unacceptable". So with anger among many, what will the deal mean for the bloc and at what cost has it been agreed?

Analysis and Comment • 07 Dec 24

Ursula von der Leyen pictured giving a press conference after her new European Commission was voted through

New European Commission takes hold in a polarised EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her new commission won a clear majority in Strasbourg on Wednesday but rarely has the political mood in the chamber felt so fractious, writes Tony Connelly

Analysis and Comment • 30 Nov 24

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised a proposal on the future of European defence

Von der Leyen's new commission gets green light

MEPs have voted to approve a second term for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her new college of commissioners by a comfortable majority.

Europe • 27 Nov 24

Michael McGrath was confirmed as the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law following a hearing before a European Parliament committee earlier this month

McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team

Ireland's new EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has appointed an Irish woman working within the EU institutions to head up his new team on the eve of the new Commission being approved by the European Parliament.

Europe • 26 Nov 24

Michael McGrath was confirmed as the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law following a three hour hearing before a European Parliament committee earlier this month

McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team

Ireland's new EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has appointed an Irish woman working within the EU institutions to head up his new team on the eve of the new Commission being approved by the European Parliament.

Europe • 26 Nov 24

Josep Borrell discussed suspending political dialogue with Israel with EU foreign ministers in Brussels

'No agreement' on EU suspending dialogue with Israel

European Union foreign ministers have not reached agreement to suspend political dialogue with Israel during a meeting in Brussels, according to the Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

Europe • 18 Nov 24

European competitiveness and productivity are falling behind the US and China while Europe deals with a host of other crises

How can Europe tap into trillions worth of hidden funds?

When EU officials travelled to Washington recently, the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell showed them a chart showing American productivity over a 40-year period compared to European productivity.

Analysis and Comment • 19 Nov 24

The proposal is contained in a letter in which Mr Borrell claims there were 'serious concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza'

EU's Borrell proposes suspension to dialogue with Israel

The EU's outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed to EU foreign ministers that they suspend political dialogue with Israel due to the Gaza war, and that the EU should invoke the human rights clause in its trade relations with Israel.

Middle East • 14 Nov 24