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EU countries will have to negotiate the Commission's proposals and agree on final laws.

EU proposes windfall levies on energy firms

The European Union has revealed plans to raise more than 140 billion euros to soften the blow to consumers from soaring energy prices by skimming off revenues from low-cost electricity generators and making fossil fuel firms share windfall profits.

Business • 14 Sep 22

Truss and the NI Protocol: Reset or ongoing conflict?

There has been a carefully calibrated European response to Liz Truss becoming the British prime minister.

Analysis and Comment • 06 Sep 22

Minister Simon Coveney speaking to the media before the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Prague yesterday

Ireland 'wants' to be part of EU training mission

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said Ireland wants to be involved in an EU training mission for the Ukrainian military, following outline agreement yesterday among defence ministers in Prague.

World • 31 Aug 22

The Dutch government has asked people to take shorter showers

Govts across Europe urge energy saving measures

Shorter showers, ditch the ties, close the doors and lights out after 10pm. These are just some of the energy saving measures that have been urged by governments across Europe this summer.

World • 21 Aug 22

The approval comes a day after the WHO declared the rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak as a global health emergency

Danish monkeypox vaccine wins EU approval

Danish biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic has confirmed that the European Commission has given permission for its Imvanex vaccine to be marketed as protection against monkeypox, as recommended last week by the European Medicines Agency.

World • 25 Jul 22

Mark Daly said this will help ensure that deadlines set by Brussels are met

Seanad to examine transposition of EU directives

A new Seanad select committee is to be established by the autumn to scrutinise the transposition of European Union directives into Irish law.

Politics • 21 Jul 22

Workers fill a crucible with molten gold in the foundry at the Prioksky non-ferrous metals plant in Kasimov

EU to target Russian gold in next sanctions package

The European Union will target Russian gold exports in its next sanction package and seek to "close exit routes" for those bypassing its earlier packages, an EU commissioner said.

World • 15 Jul 22

The current temporary state aid framework ends in December

EU wants to relax aid rules for war impacted firms

The European Commission wants to increase state aid granted to EU companies affected by the sanctions levied against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine and is seeking feedback from EU countries before a final decision.

Business • 11 Jul 22

Stephen Barclay, Boris Johnson, Jean Claude Juncker and Michel Barnier pictured in Brussels in 2019

No love lost between EU and Boris Johnson

When Boris Johnson was elected leader of the Tory party on 23 July 2019 there were plenty of sharp intakes of breath in Dublin and Brussels, writes Europe Editor Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 08 Jul 22

The 'roam-like-at-home' initiative has been extended until 2032 (stock photo)

New EU roaming rules come into force

New EU roaming rules for mobile phone users have come into effect, which allow travellers to make calls and use the internet while abroad without extra charges.

Ireland • 01 Jul 22

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Maroš Šefčovič speaking at a Bloomberg event

EU would allow 'green lane' for goods into N Ireland

The EU would allow a green lane for goods being imported into Northern Ireland from Britain as part of a "robust offer" to resolve difficulties over the Protocol, according to its chief Brexit negotiator Maroš Šefčovič.

World • 29 Jun 22

The climate proposals aim to ensure the 27-country EU - the world's third-biggest greenhouse gas emitter - reaches its 2030 target of reducing net emissions by 55% from 1990 levels

EU reaches deal on climate laws after late-night talks

EU countries have clinched deals on proposed laws to combat climate change, backing a 2035 phase-out of new fossil fuel car sales and a multibillion-euro fund to shield poorer citizens from CO2 costs.

World • 29 Jun 22

Paschal Donohoe approaches the media on day two of the summit in Brussels

Donohoe warns of dangers of inflation in EU economies

The Minister for Finance has warned of the dangers of inflation becoming embedded in EU economies and urged governments to get the balance right between lowering inflation and helping the worst off.

World • 24 Jun 22

A tractor sprays pesticides in a vineyard near Volkach, Franconia, Germany

EU seeks to halve use of pesticides with landmark law

The European Commission has proposed a far reaching Nature Restoration Law and a 50% cut in pesticide use, to be implemented across all member states, including Ireland.

World • 22 Jun 22

US First lady Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President, on 8 May, Mother's Day in the US

Wartime visitors stop by Ukraine in show of solidarity

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi have become the latest Western leaders to show their support for Ukraine by visiting the country.

World • 16 Jun 22

Senior Italian, Dutch and Austrian ministers all accused the UK of threatening to break international law

EU threatens strong response to UK protocol plans

Senior EU figures have threatened a strong response to the UK's legislation.

Brexit • 14 Jun 22

UK Protocol Bill: Conflict with the EU inevitable

The UK Protocol bill is expected to strip out a swathe of provisions, not because they make the EU implement the Protocol more zealously, but because the UK does not like them. This is what has caused EU capitals to harden their position, writes Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 11 Jun 22

The EU has vowed to cut greenhouse emissions by 55% by 2030

Green MEPs criticise emissions proposals

The European Parliament has voted to reject a reform of the EU carbon trading system, in a surprise setback to the bloc's Green Deal climate plan.

World • 08 Jun 22

European Council President Charles Michel said this was 'maximum pressure on Russia' to end the war (File image)

EU agrees ban on two thirds of Russian oil imports

EU leaders have agreed to ban the export of Russian oil to the 27-nation bloc, EU Council President Charles Michel has said.

Ukraine • 31 May 22

Liz Truss is expected to hold meetings with a bipartisan congressional delegation led by Richard Neal

Truss meets senior US Democrat amid protocol tensions

The UK's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has met with US Democrat Richard Neal amid tensions over the post-Brexit deal with Northern Ireland.

Ulster • 21 May 22

Viktor Orban said the EU Commission had crossed a red line

Orban says Von der Leyen has 'attacked European unity'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticised European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen for "attacking" EU unity with a proposed Russian oil ban, saying it crosses a red line.

Ukraine • 06 May 22

The rule of law procedure could take up to nine months

Hungary risks funding cut as EU initiates procedure

The EU's executive has initiated against Hungary a never-before-used procedure that could see Budapest stripped of funding for flouting democratic standards.

World • 27 Apr 22

Roberta Metsola became the first leader of an EU institution to visit Kyiv last week

EU countries 'not doing enough' to help Ukraine

EU countries are not doing enough to help Ukraine, according to the President of the European Parliament who is calling for more military help and a ban on Russian oil and gas imports.

World • 08 Apr 22

Ursula von der Leyen said the latest package of sanctions would be 'broader and sharper so that they cut even deeper into the Russian economy'

European Commission confirms import ban on Russian coal

The European Commission has confirmed a full ban on Russian coal imports into the European Union, worth some €4 billion, in the wake of Russian atrocities in Ukraine.

Ukraine • 05 Apr 22

Mobile phone data was a key part of the prosecution's case against Graham Dwyer

Ireland's retention of Dwyer phone data breaches EU law

Convicted murderer Graham Dwyer has won a significant legal battle in his attempt to have his conviction for murder overturned.

Ireland • 05 Apr 22