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Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair speak to the media in Dublin Castle to mark the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Dublin (File photo)

Ahern, Blair withdraw from Good Friday Agreement event

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair, the former UK prime minister, have both pulled out of an event in the European Parliament next week marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

World • 22 Mar 23

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen is due to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington

US and EU to begin talks on free-trade-like status

US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to agree to begin negotiations on ensuring free-trade agreement-like status for the European Union, according to sources.

World • 09 Mar 23

Rishi Sunak shakes hands with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during their bilateral meeting at the 59th Munich Security Conference

Taoiseach hopes for 'new foundation' for EU-UK ties

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed his hope for a positive outcome to negotiations between the UK and EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mr Varadkar had a phone conversation with Ursula von der Leyen this morning ahead of her meeting with Rishi Sunak.

Brexit • 18 Feb 23

Challenges to Ukraine's hopes for speedy EU membership

More than a dozen top European Union officials are in Kyiv today, a top-level demonstration of support following new pledges of military aid as the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine nears.

Ukraine • 02 Feb 23

A spokesperson for the European Commission said recent legislation was not sufficient to address all the outstanding issues (file image)

Ireland to be referred to EU court over water directive

The European Commission will refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to correctly transpose the Water Framework Directive into Irish law - despite the signing into law in Ireland last month of new water-related legislation to addresses their concerns.

Ireland • 26 Jan 23

TikTok's parent company is already under investigation by the DPC in Ireland

European Union warns TikTok to respect EU data laws

The European Union warned Chinese-owned online giant TikTok on Tuesday to respect EU law and ensure the safety of European users' data, as the video-sharing app's CEO met top officials in Brussels.

EU • 10 Jan 23

On 22 January 1972 the Treaty of Accession was signed in Brussels

EU membership transformed life in Ireland over 50 years

Fifty years ago, on 1 January 1973, Ireland formally joined the European Economic Community, becoming an EU member has economically and socially transformed life on the island of Ireland, writes Gail Conway.

Ireland • 01 Jan 23

Four in five Irish people voted to join the EU in May 1972 (Photo: RTÉ Stills Library)

1973-2023: How joining the EU has changed Ireland

When Ireland joined the EEC, as the EU was known then, it was an impoverished, isolated island, but we've grown from a poor, agriculture dependent country suffering from mass emigration and unemployment to a high tech economy.

EU • 01 Jan 23

In 1973 agriculture was hugely important to the economy

Numbers spell out benefits of EU to Irish farmers

When debate about joining the Common Market was taking place, the prospect of new market access to European countries was very enticing for Irish farmers and the Government.

Ireland • 01 Jan 23

European leaders at an EEC (European Economic Community) summit in Dublin in December 1979

Ireland at 50: Where we stand in the EU firmament

As the 50th anniversary of Ireland's membership of the European Union dawns, a glance at the State's share of the EU's top jobs should be cause for quiet satisfaction, if not celebration.

Ireland • 01 Jan 23

Eva Kaili is no longer in her post as parliamentary vice president after police raids earlier this month

MEP in Qatar-linked corruption inquiry to stay in jail

A court has ordered Greek MEP Eva Kaili to remain in custody in Belgium over corruption allegations linked to Qatar that have rocked the European Parliament, prosecutors said.

World • 22 Dec 22

The talks have been scheduled into next week to finalise 'technical' details

EU energy ministers push gas price talks into next week

EU ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday narrowed differences over a proposed cap on natural gas prices.

EU • 13 Dec 22

The directive has to be transposed into member states' national law by the end of 2023

15% tax rate can proceed after Hungary drops opposition

Hungary has dropped its opposition to the introduction of a global minimum corporation tax rate of 15% as part of a wider deal with the EU allowing implementation to proceed.

Business • 13 Dec 22

Greek MEP Eva Kaili was one of four people arrested

Greek MEP Kaili unaware of cash found in home - lawyer

Eva Kaili, the Greek MEP embroiled in a corruption scandal allegedly linked to World Cup host Qatar, "did not know of the existence" of the cash found at her home, her lawyer has said.

World • 13 Dec 22

A worker loads palm oil fruits on to a boat for transportation from plantations along the Kampar River in Indonesia

EU law to stop import of goods linked to deforestation

The European Union has agreed on a new law to prevent companies from selling soy, beef, coffee and other commodities into the EU market that are linked to deforestation around the world.

Climate Change • 06 Dec 22

Opioid-based pholcodine has been used as a cough medicine since the 1950s (stock image)

EMA recommends removal of cough syrup chemical

Cough medicines containing the chemical pholcodine should be banned due to the risk of potentially deadly allergic reactions in people under general anaesthetic, the European Union's drug regulator has said.

Health • 02 Dec 22

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressing a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas

Von der Leyen says no hard border on island of Ireland

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas that there can be no hard border on the island of Ireland.

Ireland • 01 Dec 22

Although Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in 1713, Madrid has long wanted it back in a thorny dispute

Spain, EU propose removing Gibraltar border fencing

Madrid and Brussels have approached the British government with a proposal for removing the border fence between Spain and Gibraltar in order to ease freedom of movement, Spain's top diplomat has said.

Brexit • 25 Nov 22

By 2035, all cars and vans sold in the EU will have zero CO2-emissions (file image)

EU proposes new emissions standard for road vehicles

The European Commission has proposed a new emissions standard that will require all new road vehicles to meet tougher pollution-reduction requirements, including lower emissions from brakes and tyres, even those on electric vehicles.

Climate Change • 10 Nov 22

Brussels wants a more tailored response to financial crises, as opposed to the one-size-fits-all approach which characterised the management of the fiscal shocks of 2009-2013

EU eyes longer debt reduction paths in rules review

The European Commission has proposed changes to the EU's onerous debt rules that would allow member states to negotiate their own debt reduction path, using the carrot of more flexibility if governments introduce reforms and investment.

World • 09 Nov 22

Michael Martin described the agreement as good for Ireland

Taoiseach says EU deal on gas prices good for Ireland

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hailed last night's agreement by EU leaders on a price cap on imported gas, saying it would lead to a stabilisation of the market and reduce price spikes.

Politics • 21 Oct 22

The report says Ireland is an outlier compared to the rest of the EU when it comes to trade with the UK

ESRI study finds UK-EU trade has declined since Brexit

A new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that trade between the UK and the EU has declined since Brexit.

Business • 19 Oct 22

A lorry passes an anti Northern Ireland Protocol sign as it is driven away from Larne port (file pic)

Data access could be breakthrough in NI Protocol talks

It has been a long and contentious journey, pock-marked with delays and disagreements but the data-sharing element could unlock some of the most intractable problems around the Protocol

Analysis and Comment • 16 Oct 22

A Ukrainian woman carries her child as they get off a train from Zaporizhzhia at Przemysl train station in Poland

EU extends protection for Ukrainian refugees into 2024

The EU has announced it is extending a bloc-wide protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees for a further year, until March 2024.

Ukraine • 10 Oct 22

The move will force Apple to change its charging port for iPhones and other devices (file image)

EU parliament approves move for common device charger

The European Parliament has approved new rules that will introduce a single charging port for mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the European Union by 2024.

World • 04 Oct 22