News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The Taoiseach will discuss EU membership, peace and security during his visit to Kosovo (File image)

Taoiseach in Kosovo for talks on EU membership

The Taoiseach is in Kosovan capital, Pristina, to meet the country's leaders and hold discussions on Kosovo's application for EU membership.

World • 11 Jan 24

An extreme heat danger sign at Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park in California on 17 July 2023

2023 hottest year on record as Earth nears 1.5C limit

Global temperatures last year reached exceptionally high levels averaging close to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, according to new analysis from the EU's climate change service, Copernicus.

Climate Change • 09 Jan 24

The European Commission said it was 'checking whether Microsoft's investment in OpenAI might be reviewable under the EU Merger Regulation'

EU says examining Microsoft investment in OpenAI

The European Union's competition regulator said today it was looking into Microsoft's investment into ChatGPT developer OpenAI to see if it merits further investigation under the bloc's merger rules.

Business • 09 Jan 24

Lufthansa and Italy are seeking EU approval for a deal under which the German airline would acquire a 41% stake in ITA for €325m as part of a capital increase

EU to take more time to examine ITA-Lufthansa deal

Further months of talks will be required to secure European Union approval of German carrier Lufthansa buying a minority stake in Italian state-owned ITA Airways, Rome's economy minister said today.

Business • 22 Dec 23

The changes must still be formally adapted by member states

How the EU is reshaping its migration system

The European Union has reached a landmark preliminary agreement to reform its laws on migration.

Europe • 20 Dec 23

Three men are seen on a beach in Sangatte, northern France, after a failed attempt to cross the English Channel

EU reaches agreement on reforming migration laws

The European Union has agreed to an overhaul of its asylum laws that includes more border detention centres and speedier deportations, prompting migrant charities to criticise the changes as "dangerous" and "cruel".

Europe • 20 Dec 23

The deal includes additional mackerel quota for the Irish fleet

EU fisheries ministers reach agreement on fish quotas

The December Fisheries Council, at which next year's quotas for Irish fishers were due to be set, has concluded in Brussels.

Ireland • 12 Dec 23

A reform of the EU fiscal rules is necessary because a surge in public debt after the Covid-19 pandemic made the existing framework unrealistic

EU ministers narrow gaps on fiscal rules

France, Germany and the EU executive expressed hope today that EU governments would reach an agreement on the bloc's fiscal rules by the end of the year, with Spain floating the idea of convening an extraordinary meeting to achieve that goal.

Business • 08 Dec 23

Tougher rules to ensure products last longer and are easier to repair and recycle

EU approves ban on destruction of unsold clothing

The European Parliament and EU member states have announced new rules to crack down on fast fashion and reduce waste, including a ban on destroying unsold clothes.

World • 06 Dec 23

Achill Island Sea Salt has gained Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) recognition

Achill Sea Salt joins Grass Fed Beef on protected list

Two Irish products have today been given official recognition and protection by the EU, recognising their uniqueness and geographical association with Ireland.

Business • 30 Nov 23

Germany is generally debt-adverse - but in recent years has increased borrowing in response to crises including Covid-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine

German government likey to suspend debt brake again

Germany's ruling coalition is expected to agree a supplementary budget today that will temporarily lift a self-imposed cap on borrowing limits after a constitutional court ruling tore up the government's spending plans.

Business • 27 Nov 23

Duties on New Zealand beef - as well as other products - will be cut under the trade deal

Brussels gives green light to EU-New Zealand trade deal

Brussels has given the final green light for an EU-New Zealand trade deal that, while mutually lowering barriers for both markets, highlights the recent failure of EU-Australia negotiations.

Business • 27 Nov 23

EU's environment committee had called for a 50% reduction in chemical pesticides by 2030 (Stock image)

MEPs reject proposal to halve pesticide use

MEPs have rejected a proposal to cut pesticide use by half by the end of the decade, dealing a blow to the European Union's push towards more environmentally friendly farming.

World • 22 Nov 23

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world

EC to renew authorisation for herbicide glyphosate

The European Commission is set to renew the approval of the use of the herbicide glyphosate in the EU for a period of ten years.

World • 16 Nov 23

Industrial production in the euro zone fell by 1.1% month-on-month in September for a 6.9% year-on-year decline

Euro zone industry output slips in September

Euro zone industrial production declined broadly in line with expectations in September, wiping out a rise in August as output of consumer goods dropped sharply in the month.

Business • 15 Nov 23

Eurostat said prices at factory gates in the euro zone were 0.5% higher month-on-month in September and 12.4% down from a year earlier

Euro zone producers prices inch up in September

Euro zone producer prices rose in line with expectations in September from a month earlier and plunged year-on-year due to a sharp drop in energy prices, data showed today.

Business • 07 Nov 23

Industrial production in the euro zone rose by 0.6% month-on-month in August for a 5.1% year-on-year decline

Euro industrial output rises in August

Euro zone industrial production rose by more than expected in August, data showed today, as factories made more consumer goods although overall output was down by more than 5% from a year earlier.

Business • 13 Oct 23

Pesticides are sprayed on a field of cereals in northern France

EU countries fail to agree on glyphosate extension

A vote in Brussels this morning to renew EU approval for the use of the herbicide glyphosate has failed to reach the necessary majority to approve or reject it.

World • 13 Oct 23

Leo Varadkar speaking with Rishi Sunak during the bilateral meeting today

Varadkar and Sunak discuss migration at security summit

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has held a bilateral meeting with the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the margins of the European Political Community summit in Granada in Spain.

World • 05 Oct 23

Wooden crosses made with the remains of boats used by migrants to cross the Mediterranean in a cemetery on Lampedusa

Mediterranean has become 'cemetery' for children - UN

The number of people who died or went missing while trying to cross the Mediterranean this summer has tripled since last year, the UN said, adding it had become a "cemetery" for children.

Europe • 29 Sep 23

Josep Borrell said a Swedish diplomat has been held in Iran for 500 days

Borrell confirms Swedish EU diplomat held in Iran

The European Union's foreign policy chief has confirmed that a Swedish diplomat working for the EU, has been captive in Iran for more than 500 days.

World • 05 Sep 23

Several internet giants - including Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms and Apple's online App Store - will face new obligations in the EU from tomorrow

Big Tech braces for EU's Digital Services Act roll-out

More than a dozen of the world's biggest tech companies face unprecedented legal scrutiny, as the European Union's sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes new rules on content moderation, user privacy and transparency.

Business • 24 Aug 23

While all sectors of the economy recorded an increasing trend in bankruptcies, accommodation and food services were the most affected, today's Eurostat figures show

Bankruptcies in the EU highest since 2015 - Eurostat

Bankruptcy declarations in the European Union reached the highest level since 2015 in the second quarter of this year, driven by increases in the accommodation and food services sectors, the bloc's statistics agency Eurostat said today.

Business • 17 Aug 23

Amazon said it is not the largest retailer in any of the EU countries where it operates and bigger rivals in these countries have not been designated as VLOPs

Amazon in first Big Tech challenge to EU content rules

Amazon is challenging its inclusion in a group of companies subject to tough European Union online content rules, in a move that may prompt other tech giants to follow suit.

Business • 11 Jul 23

Brexit is proving to be an obstacle for UK companies

Battling Brexit, British firms turn to invest in Europe

Sick of customs delays and extra bureaucracy since Britain left the European Union, Farrat, a small manufacturer on the edge of Manchester, is ramping up investment to compensate - in Germany.

Business • 05 Jul 23