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Economists polled by Reuters had expected a rise to -19.0.

Rise in euro zone consumer confidence in February

Euro zone consumer confidence rose by 1.7 points in February from the January number, figures released today showed.

Business • 20 Feb 23

The European Commission now predicts the economy here will grow in GDP terms by 4.9%, compared to its Autumn forecast of 3.2%

European Commission raises Irish, euro growth forecasts

The European Commission has revised upwards its forecasts for economic growth this year in Ireland.

Business • 13 Feb 23

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, centre, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a photo with Ukrainian and European Union flags

Zelensky warns of Russia revenge as EU leader visits

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is building up its troops to take "revenge" on the West nearly a year into Moscow's invasion.

World • 02 Feb 23

Companies will have to back up claims that products are climate neutral or contain recycled materials

EU drafts law to fight companies' greenwashing

The European Union has drafted plans to require companies to back up green claims about their products with evidence, in a bid to fight greenwashing and misleading advertisements, according to reports.

Business • 13 Jan 23

EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has made a series of suggestions on how to improve the bi-monthly overview process

EU monitoring over Irish data 'appropriate' - Ombudsman

The EU Ombudsman has concluded an investigation into the European Commission's monitoring of the application of data protection rules in Ireland.

Business • 20 Dec 22

Meta is likely breaching EU antitrust laws by distorting competition in the markets for online classified ads, the EU said today

Meta warned by EU of breaking antitrust laws

The European Commission has warned Facebook parent company Meta that it is breaching EU antitrust laws by distorting competition in markets for online classified advertising and abusing its dominant position.

Business • 19 Dec 22

Deutsche Bank and Rabobank have been charged with taking part in a government bond cartel

EU regulators charge Deutsche Bank, Rabobank on cartel

Deutsche Bank and Rabobank were charged today by EU competition regulators of taking part in a government bond cartel.

Business • 06 Dec 22

Eurostat had already estimated third quarter growth at 0.2% on October 31

Euro zone Q3 GDP confirmed at 0.2%, employment up also

Euro zone gross domestic product grew by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the three months from July to September for a 2.1% year-on-year increase, Eurostat confirmed today.

Business • 15 Nov 22

The European Commission said that Europe faces 'exceptional uncertainty' as the Ukraine war continues

Euro zone set to fall into recession this winter - EU

The EU and euro zone are likely to tip into recession in the final quarter of the year because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the latest economic outlook from the European Commission.

Business • 11 Nov 22

The Irish Government is understood to be supportive of the measures to change the EU's debt rules

Commission proposes changes to EU's debt rules

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.

Business • 09 Nov 22

Under the proposed rules, Airbnb and its peers will have to share data about the number of guests and rented nights with public authorities

EU wants Airbnb to share bookings data with authorities

Airbnb and other short-term home rental companies will have to share data on the number of people using their platforms under proposed EU rules, the European Commission said today, in a light-touch approach to regulating this sector.

Business • 07 Nov 22

The new borrowing may be modelled on the joint debt issued during the pandemic to subsidise jobs that would have otherwise been lost

EU officials want joint borrowing for energy crisis

Two top European Commission officials have today called for joint borrowing by the 27-nation European Union to finance a response to the energy price crisis that is threatening to plunge the bloc into recession.

Business • 04 Oct 22

European Commission said cutting activities are still ongoing on SACs (file image)

EU peat warning does not reflect State efforts - Dept

Ireland may be referred to the European Court of Justice unless action is taken to halt the cutting of peat within Special Areas of Conservation, the European Commission has warned.

Ireland • 30 Sep 22

Illumina must divest Grail as EU blocks takeover

US life sciences firm Illumina will have to divest biotechnology company Grail after an EU veto of the $7.1 billion acquisition over concerns it would hurt competition and stifle innovation.

Business • 06 Sep 22

The decision to open an office in San Francisco - which covers the wider Silicon Valley area - was taken after last year's EU-US summit

European Commission opens tech office in San Francisco

The European Commission has opened an office in San Francisco, a key global centre for digital technology and innovation - and the new office is a tenant of the Irish Consulate in the city.

Business • 02 Sep 22

The country's CAP plan had to be resubmitted to the Commission earlier this month after the first version was rejected last March.

Ireland's CAP plan approved by European Commission

The European Commission has approved Ireland's plan for the implementation of the new Common Agriculture Policy that comes into affect in 2023.

Business • 01 Sep 22

The European Commission's monthly economic sentiment index fell to 97.6 points in August from a downwardly revised 98.9 in July

Euro zone economic sentiment falls more than expected

Euro zone economic sentiment fell more than expected in August, data showed today, dragged lower by a drop in optimism in industry and in services despite a better mood among consumers, in retail and in construction.

Business • 30 Aug 22

Companies in the areas of manufacturing, ICT, professional, scientific and technical activities or administrative and support services will be able to access the €200m scheme

€200m scheme to help Irish firms hit by Ukraine war

The European Commission has approved a €200m scheme that will see Irish firms receive financial support to deal with the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Business • 11 Aug 22

Sentiment in industry worsened to 3.5 points from 7.0 in June, against economists' expectations of a fall to 6.0.

Euro zone sentiment falls more than expected in July

New data shows euro zone economic sentiment deteriorated by far more than expected this month, with optimism falling across all sectors and consumer confidence hitting a new record low amid the war in Ukraine and raging inflation.

Business • 28 Jul 22

For optimal energy use, the EU will recommend the rules require that public buildings be heated to no more than 19 degrees Celsius

EU to cut heating, cooling of buildings to save gas

The European Commission is expected next week to ask EU countries to reduce heating and cooling of public buildings and offices to cut demand for gas, according to a document seen by AFP.

Business • 15 Jul 22

The hydrogen project hopes to attract another €8.8 billion in private investments.

EU Commission approves €5.4 billion hydrogen project

The European Commission has today approved a €5.4 billion hydrogen project jointly funded by France, Germany and 13 other EU countries, its latest measure aimed at boosting the bloc's competitiveness and economy.

Business • 15 Jul 22

The European Commission has raised its estimates for euro zone inflation, which this year is now expected to peak at 7.6% before falling to 4% in 2023

EU cuts growth forecasts, revises up inflation outlook

The European Commission has today cut its forecasts for economic growth in the euro zone for this year and next and revised up its estimates for inflation mainly due to the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Business • 14 Jul 22

The new EU proposals aim to help the EU catch up with the US, Japan and South Korea in cutting-edge technology, venture capital funding and innovative patents

EU eyes €45 billion to fund deep-tech start-ups

The European Commission is planning measures to attract €45 billion in private funding for "deep-tech" start-ups, those based on significant scientific or engineering advances, an EU policy document seen by Reuters showed.

Business • 05 Jul 22

The European Commission last year charged Insurance Ireland with restricting certain insurers and their agents' access to its data system

EU accepts Insurance Ireland's concessions

EU competition enforcers have today accepted an offer from Insurance Ireland to open up its data sharing platform to non-members and apply fair criteria to access it aimed at averting a possible hefty fine.

Business • 30 Jun 22

The European Commission's monthly survey showed economic sentiment in the euro zone slipped to 104 in June from 105 in May

Euro zone economic sentiment slips in June

Euro zone economic sentiment fell by slightly less than expected in June as consumers and retail trade became more downbeat but spirits among industrial and services sectors improved.

Business • 29 Jun 22