Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

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

EC has 'no powers' to intervene in Sweeney appointment

The European Commission has said that it has no powers to intervene in the appointment of Niamh Sweeney as the third commissioner of the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC).

Business • 28 Oct

Volodymyr Zelensky participates in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, Italy

EU faces rethink on frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Ukraine's survival depends hugely on Volodymyr Zelensky finding favour with US President Donald Trump, but such favour is an on-again, off-again mystery. However, EU leaders continue to rally behind the Ukrainian President.

Analysis and Comment • 25 Oct

Negotiations on how to support Ukraine both financially and militarily are at a delicate stage

Neutrality must be acknowledged in Ukraine loan - EU

Senior EU figures have acknowledged that Ireland's neutrality constraints must be taken into account as the European Union edges closer to converting €140 billion in frozen Russian assets into a loan for Ukraine.

Europe • 23 Oct

Offaly's Séamus Boland elected president of EESC

Irish farmer and civil society activist Séamus Boland has been elected as president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the first Irish president of an EU plenary body since Pat Cox was elected president of the European Parliament in 2002.

Leinster • 22 Oct