Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

rAecent protest against the LGBTQ+ policy of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest

Ireland frustrated by Hungary LGBTQ+ measures - minister

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said that, as a net contributing EU member state, Ireland is increasingly frustrated at Hungary's crackdown on fundamental rights and its alleged erosion of the rule of law.

Europe • 27 May

On Friday, Donald Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on goods coming from the EU

EU and US to fast track trade talks after phone call

The European Commission has said that President Ursula Von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump have agreed to fast track trade negotiations and to stay in close contact following last night's phone call.

World • 26 May

17 EU foreign and development ministers supported a proposal for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement

EU-Israel deal: Why Dutch succeeded where Ireland failed

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief will instruct the EU's diplomatic arm to carry out a review of the EU-Israel agreement, a small step in relative terms. But why did the Dutch request succeed where Ireland and Spain previously failed?

Analysis and Comment • 24 May

17 EU foreign and development ministers support a proposal for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement

EU to review cooperation deal with Israel over Gaza

The European Union has agreed to review its cooperation deal with Israel, after a clear majority of member states supported a Dutch proposal to do so.

Europe • 21 May

Ursula von der Leyen and Keir Starmer in London today

Deal signals solidarity in face of Trump's NATO hostility

Brussels and London will be largely satisfied with the Brexit reset deal, announced with some fanfare at Lancaster House, and the direction of travel towards a closer relationship is now clear.

Europe • 20 May

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