Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Spain floods a 'sudden, catastrophic experience for many'

The question of whether the Spanish population was alerted to the devastating floods on time or with sufficient gravity is becoming a real political issue.

Europe • 31 Oct 24

Today's decision brings to an end a long running dispute between Intel and the European Commission over allegations that it abused its dominant position by awarding rebates to computer makers in exchange for using its microprocessors

Europe's top court rules for Intel in long-running case

The European Court of Justice has upheld the annulment of a €1.06 billion fine against Intel levied by the European Commission in 2009.

Business • 24 Oct 24

Micheál Martin is one of 70 delegates at the International Conference in Support of Lebanon's People and Sovereignty in Paris (File image)

Tánaiste pledges €5m in funding for Lebanon

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has told an international donor conference for Lebanon in Paris that Israel must be held accountable for any breaches of international law.

Middle East • 24 Oct 24

Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez and Simon Harris attempted to re-start efforts to use EU trade to make an impact on Israel

Ireland's gambit on EU-Israel trade sanctions

Ireland and Spain have revived their campaign to use EU trade in order to bring Israel to heel over its actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Oct 24

Migrants on a wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea earlier this year

EU leaders seek new laws to speed up migrant returns

European Union leaders have called for the speeding up of deportations of failed asylum seekers following a long debate on migration during a summit in Brussels.

Europe • 17 Oct 24

Simon Harris met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Harris discusses UNIFIL attacks with Spanish, Italian PMs

Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for discussions on Israel's attacks on UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon.

Middle East • 17 Oct 24

Simon Harris said he sought the advice of the Attorney General in August (file pic)

AG to advise on unilateral trade measures against Israel

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said the Attorney General will advise the Government next week if the ICJ's advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories gives Ireland the option of taking unilateral measures against Israel, possibly including trade, which is an EU competence.

Politics • 16 Oct 24

Ahead of the meeting, Micheál Martin described the ongoing targeting of UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon as reprehensible and completely unacceptable (File image)

Tánaiste accuses Netanyahu of undermining UN peacekeepers

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has accused Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining the United Nations and the international rules-based order after Mr Netanyahu called on UNIFIL peacekeepers to withdraw from combat areas in south Lebanon.

Middle East • 14 Oct 24

There has been an increase in the level of error in the spending of EU funds by member states

EU's financial watchdog warns of growing budget risks

There are growing risks to the EU budget due to a record amount of debt, Russia's war against Ukraine and high inflation, according to the annual report of the EU's financial watchdog.

Europe • 10 Oct 24

Keir Starmer at a press conference during his visit to the European Commission headquarters in Brussels this week

The EU-UK reset - short on detail, big on tone

If Keir Starmer was hoping to keep the vaunted EU-UK reset a low-exposure affair, he would have been gratified by the news conference in Brussels. On the substance of his meeting with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he was short on detail, but big on tone, writes Tony Connelly

Analysis and Comment • 07 Oct 24