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Simon Harris pictured arriving in Brussels at his first EU summit as Taoiseach

Harris wary of EU issuing bonds to boost defence spending

Taoiseach Simon Harris has cautioned against any move towards developing Euro bonds in order to boost EU defence spending, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

World • 17 Apr 24

Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair boss, was hit with two cream pies in Brussels today

Ryanair boss gets pied in the face in Brussels

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary got a rude welcome in Brussels today when he received two cream pies to the face while standing next to a cardboard cutout of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Business • 07 Sep 23

The attacks at the Belgian capital's main airport (pictured) and on the metro system were claimed by the Islamic State group

Key suspects convicted over 2016 Brussels bombings

A Brussels court has convicted French citizen Salah Abdeslam and Belgian-Moroccan Mohamed Abrini for 2016 jihadist bombings in the Belgian capital that killed 32 people.

World • 25 Jul 23

Climate and energy diplomacy will also be discussed by the EU

Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iran on EU meeting agenda

Tánaiste Micheál Martin will discuss the EU's support for Ukraine when he attends a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

Brussels • 20 Feb 23

Ryanair won't reopen its Brussels Zaventem base

Ryanair will not be reopening its Brussels Zaventem base because of the airport's decision to increase prices from April.

Business • 11 Jan 23

The trial is expected to last at least seven months

Trial of ten men over Brussels terror attacks opens

The trial of ten men accused of involvement in the Brussels terror attacks on 22 March 2016 has opened in Brussels, the country's biggest and most expensive ever criminal trial.

World • 05 Dec 22

There is tight security around the trial at Justitia building in Brussels

Brussels bombings trial starts with jury selection

Around 700 Belgians arrived in court this morning for a mammoth process to select a jury for the trial of ten men accused of involvement in the 2016 bombings in Brussels that killed 32 people.

World • 30 Nov 22

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet on the sideline of the summit earlier today

EU leaders at odds over how to tackle energy prices

EU leaders have clashed over how to ride out Europe's energy shock, with France and Germany at loggerheads over imposing a cap on gas prices that have been pushed skywards by the war in Ukraine.

Ireland • 20 Oct 22

Around 8,000 people marched through Brussels towards the headquarters of the European Union, chanting 'Freedom' and letting off fireworks

Clashes erupt at Brussels protest against Covid rules

Belgian police fired water cannon today to disperse protesters opposed to compulsory health measures against the coronavirus pandemic.

World • 05 Dec 21

Migration issues and relations with Turkey and Russia are key topics leaders are due to discuss

EU leaders discussing pandemic, migration at summit

The Taoiseach joined other EU leaders for a two-day summit in Brussels, where they are due to discuss the latest Covid-19 situation as well as migration issues and relations with Turkey and Russia.

Europe • 25 Jun 21

There is a hard-headed calculation in Brussels that the EU will weather a No Deal storm better than the UK

Final throes of Brexit legal fixes and hardball tactics

As we hurtle towards 31 December the scramble for a deal is forcing both sides to get creative in the hope that they do not need to get desperate.

Analysis and Comment • 21 Nov 20

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews spoke to Sandra Hurley on the Your Politics podcast

Podcast: Brussels gets tired of Ireland's shenanigans

Ireland will not hold the trade portfolio at the EU Commission, according to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews, who said that would be a strategic loss for the country.

Your Politics • 03 Sep 20

UK and the EU remain far apart on various issues, with only two further rounds of talks left

UK, EU resume post-Brexit talks as clock runs down

Britain and the European Union have resumed talks, with the clock running down to a year-end deadline for a new post-Brexit deal.

Brexit • 21 Jul 20

People attend a protest outside the European Council headquarters in Brussels

Belgian police disperse protest outside EU summit

Belgian police deployed mounted officers and pepper spray in the shadow of EU headquarters Friday to dislodge protesters as European leaders met inside.

News Lens • 17 Jul 20

Dominic Raab said he expects the EU to offer a Canada-style trade deal as promised

UK expects EU to offer Canada-style trade deal - Raab

Britain expects the EU to "live up to" its undertakings to offer the UK a Canada-style free-tradedeal, foreign minister Dominic Raab said, reiterating that any deal will not require "high alignment" with the bloc's rules.

Brexit • 02 Feb 20

European Council President Donald Tusk said the EU had responded to the UK in a 'positive spirit'

EU leaders offer UK a Brexit delay until 22 May

EU leaders have agreed a plan which would delay Brexit from 29 March to 22 May on condition that MPs approve Theresa May's withdrawal deal next week, the European Council has confirmed.

Brexit • 22 Mar 19

Simon Coveney is in Brussels for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council

No 'key-hole surgery' on Withdrawal Agreement - Coveney

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said Ireland is ruling out any "key-hole surgery" on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, and the Irish Government would reject any unilateral exit clause or expiry date to the Irish backstop.

Brexit • 18 Feb 19

Police said the 35,000-strong gathering was the biggest turnout of recent times

35,000 children protest in Brussels over climate change

Thousands of Belgian schoolchildren skipped classes today to flood Brussels in an unprecedented protest against global warming and pollution, vowing to miss school once a week until the government takes action.

News Lens • 24 Jan 19

The European Commission said the he Belgian regulatory framework imposes disproportionate requirements

Brussels home-share rules branded disproportionate

The city of Brussels could be taken to court over its strict home sharing rules after the European Commission said such rules are disproportionate.

Europe • 24 Jan 19

Brexit: 2019 - the year of unlikely outcomes

Europe Editor Tony Connelly looks ahead to another crucial week, and uncertain year, for Theresa May and her Brexit plans.

Brexit • 12 Jan 19

The Italian Senate passed the new budget

Italy's Senate passes revised budget after EU standoff

The Italian Senate has passed a revised 2019 budget, agreed after a tense standoff with Brussels which saw the populist government water down key measures.

Europe • 23 Dec 18

Police officers step in to disperse around 1,000 far-right, anti-migration protesters near EU buildings in Brussels

Clashes at anti-migration rally in Brussels

Police deployed teargas and water cannon after scuffles broke out today as thousands of people answered a call by far-right groups to reject a UN migration pact.

Europe • 16 Dec 18

Police use water cannon to disperse the protesters

Belgian police use tear gas on 'yellow vest' protesters

Belgian police have used a water cannon and tear gas in central Brussels to drive back protesters inspired by France's "yellow vest" anti-tax movement who threw rocks at the prime minister's office.

Europe • 30 Nov 18

Brexit Republic Episode Eighteen - Special Edition

Brexit • 25 Nov 18

Theresa May speaking at a press conference after today's EU summit

May urges MPs to back Brexit deal for 'brighter future'

British Prime Minister Theresa May has urged MPs to back the Brexit deal and "move forward together into a brighter future".

Brexit • 25 Nov 18