Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

The European Commission's Spring 2025 Economic Forecast predicts that Irish GDP is forecast to grow by 3.4% in 2025 and 2.5% in 2026

Ireland's ties with US pose 'notable downward risks'

Ireland's deep economic ties to the US pose "notable downward risks" to the economy despite 3.4% GDP growth this year, according to the European Commission's Spring economic forecast.

Business • 19 May

Ukrainian President Zelensky flew to Turkey with the intention of meeting the Russian President

Putin and Zelensky battle to remain in Trump's thoughts

The talks in Istanbul were given the worst billing imaginable, writes Tony Connelly.

World • 16 May

Leaders pose for a photo as they attend European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania

European leaders ready to impose fresh Russian sanctions

European leaders gathering at a summit in the Albanian capital of Tirana have said they are ready to impose tough new sanctions on Russia following President Vladimir Putin's refusal to attend peace talks in Istanbul or to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

Politics • 16 May

The New York Times took Ursula von der Leyen to the European Court of Justice for allegedly breaching the EU's transparency rules

EU commission loses court case over Von der Leyen texts

The European Court of Justice has dismissed the European Commission's rejection of a New York Times' request to access text messages between its President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on the purchase of billions of euro of Covid-19 vaccines.

World • 14 May

The sudden blackout crippled transport networks, shut cash machines, knocked out traffic lights and switched off thousands of computers as the problem spread to Portugal and France

Questions over power supply remain after Spanish blackout

With a huge blackout in the Iberian Peninsula yesterday that crippled transport networks, shut cash machines and switched off thousands of computers, RTÉ's Europe Correspondent Tony Connelly looks at what is being done in Spain and across the contintent to protect European power supplies

Analysis and Comment • 29 Apr

Donald Trump seen meeting Vladimir Putin during a summit in Finland in 2018

EU persists with Russia sanctions despite Trump overtures

The EU is embarking on its 17th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but the ground on which the West has maintained economic pressure on Moscow has been shaken by US President Donald Trump.

Analysis and Comment • 19 Apr

The Tánaiste said he had made this suggestion to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick when they met in Washington last week

'Inappropriate' for US to hit pharma amid talks - Harris

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said it would be "inappropriate" for the US to hit the pharmaceutical sector with tariffs while it was at the same time negotiating with the EU on the trade relationship.

Business • 15 Apr

A Ukrainian rescue worker takes a break at the site of the missile attack in Sumy

Call for 'maximum pressure' on Russia after Sumy strike

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for "maximum pressure" on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, a day after a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed 34 people, according to officials.

Ireland • 14 Apr

Civilian cars lie burned out at the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike on the city centre in Sumy, Ukraine

Russia claims deadly Sumy strikes hit army meeting

Russia's defence ministry has said the two ballistic missiles it fired at the Ukrainian city of Sumy yesterday were aimed at a meeting of Ukrainian military officers.

World • 14 Apr

The total EU response to Donald Trump's tariffs could amount to duties on US goods worth €400 billion

Targeting tech firms would be 'extraordinary escalation'

It would be an "extraordinary" escalation for the European Union to target US tech companies in retaliation for US President Donald Trump's blanket tariffs on European goods, the Tánaiste has said.

Politics • 07 Apr