News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

EU financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness

EU ramps up moves to limit financial link with London

The European Union published three draft laws today to lift economic growth by deepening its capital market through less reliance on post-Brexit London, cutting red tape on company listings and streamlining insolvency rules.

Business • 07 Dec 22

The EU has wanted to end heavy reliance on London-based clearing houses, such as London Stock Exchange Group's, for clearing euro-denominated interest rate swaps

EU plans for post-Brexit rules for derivatives clearing

Banks and other market participants in the European Union will have to prove to regulators that they are not overly reliant on clearing houses in London for processing their derivatives transactions, an EU draft document seen by Reuters showed.

Business • 28 Nov 22

The European Union will ban Russian oil product imports, on which it relies heavily for its diesel, by February 5

Europe rushes to fill up on Russian diesel before ban

European traders are rushing to fill tanks in the region with Russian diesel before an EU ban begins in February, as alternative sources remain limited.

Business • 21 Nov 22

Binding targets are to be set for all 27 EU members

EU agrees law to remove CO2 using woodlands

The EU has agreed to a law to expand its forests, marshes and other "sinks" that absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), a measure that could allow the bloc to raise its target for cutting net emissions of greenhouse gases.

Environment • 12 Nov 22

Ms Lagarde said Ireland's EU membership was a 'story of success'

ECB's Lagarde defends interest rate increases

The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, has said she recognised that interest rate increases were a burden for some people.

News • 29 Oct 22

Ukrainian soldiers adjust a national flag atop a personnel armoured carrier on a road near Lyman earlier this month

People of Ukraine awarded EU's top human rights prize

The EU's top human rights award, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been awarded to the people of Ukraine and their representatives.

Europe • 19 Oct 22

Current legislation says that unless Stormont is restored by 28 October, fresh elections can be called (file image)

Fresh Stormont elections must be avoided, says Coveney

All efforts must be made to find an alternative to fresh Stormont elections, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.

Brexit • 12 Oct 22

Steve Baker was speaking during the Conservative Party conference

Taoiseach welcomes NI minister's apology

The Taoiseach has welcomed comments made by prominent pro-Brexit minister Steve Baker in which he apologised for the negative effect his behaviour has had on relations with the EU and Ireland.

Brexit • 03 Oct 22

The number of people without jobs in the euro zone fell to 10.966 million in August from 10.996 million in July

Euro zone joblessness unchanged at record low of 6.6%

Euro zone unemployment was unchanged at a record low of 6.6% of the workforce in August, the European Union's statistics office Eurostat said today, matching expectations of economists polled by Reuters.

Business • 30 Sep 22

Prime Minister Viktor Orban maintains close ties with Russia

Hungary blasts MEP 'insult' over democratic credentials

Hungary has condemned as "an insult" a European Parliament vote to no longer consider the country a "full democracy".

Europe • 15 Sep 22

Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova an EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (C) welcome Simon Coveney in Prague

Ireland would 'need to speak to UK' over Russia travel

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that due to the Common Travel Area, Ireland would "need to speak to the UK" if any decision was made that would reduce Russian citizens' access to Ireland.

World • 30 Aug 22

Greek economic developments and policy have been monitored under the EU enhanced framework since 2018

Greece to exit 'enhanced surveillance' after 12 years

Greece will exit the European Union's so-called enhanced surveillance framework on August 20, its finance minister said today, a move that will allow the country greater freedom in making economic policy.

Business • 10 Aug 22

The latest case involves a 2017 Italian law requiring Airbnb and other short-term rental sites to forward information from their rental contracts

Airbnb must provide information to tax authorities

Short-term accommodation services company Airbnb is obliged to provide information in rental contracts to tax authorities, an adviser to Europe's top court said today.

Business • 07 Jul 22

Ten EU countries have issued an 'early warning' on supply

Germany raises alert level over gas supplies

Germany said it would raise the alert level under its emergency gas plan to secure supply following the recent reduction of pipeline supplies from Russia.

Europe • 23 Jun 22

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Sean Kelly has been appointed lead author in finalising the draft legislation

EU drafting legislation to prepare for protocol bill

The EU has drafted legislation that aims to strengthen its hand in taking action against the UK over possible breaches of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and EU-UK trade deal.

Brexit • 19 Jun 22

Kyiv would likely take years to become a member of the 27-nation EU, if at all

The road to becoming an EU member

The EU's executive has supported giving formal membership candidate status to Ukraine and made similar recommendations for two other former Soviet states, a major political shift brought about by Russia's invasion.

Europe • 17 Jun 22

Governments are allowed to claim derogations or exceptional circumstances to permit certain cargo to be landed

Some Russian-flagged ships allowed dock at Irish ports

The Government is allowing ships to bring products directly from Russia.

Ireland • 15 Jun 22

Maros Šefčovič said renegotiating the protocol is unrealistic

EU will not renegotiate NI Protocol, says Šefčovič

The European Union will not renegotiate the Northern Ireland Protocol agreement, European Commission Vice-President Maros Šefčovič has said, in response to Britain's decision to override some of the post-Brexit trade rules for the region.

European Union • 13 Jun 22

A decision on whether to grant Ukraine membership status is expected later this month

Taoiseach calls for faster EU membership process

A faster process is needed for countries to become members of the European Union, the Taoiseach has said.

World • 03 Jun 22

With 11 of the 14 political parties in Denmark supporting a 'yes' vote, the country is expected to vote in favour of reversing the policy

Majority of Danes vote to join EU common defence policy

An overwhelming majority of Danes, almost 67%, have voted in favour of joining the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out.

Europe • 02 Jun 22

Czechia, Romania, Slovakia and Spain have also been referred to the court over the same issue

Ireland referred to EU court over media directive delay

The European Commission has referred Ireland to the EU Court of Justice over its failure to implement a revised directive on audiovisual media services.

European Union • 19 May 22

The findings are part of the Red C/European Movement Ireland survey

Poll suggests rise in support for Ireland staying in EU

Support for Ireland remaining in the European Union stands at 88%, an increase of 4% since the last poll in 2021.

Ireland • 09 May 22

The German federation alleges that Meta infringed rules on data privacy, unfair competition and consumer protection related to free games by third parties available to Facebook users

EU court rules against Meta over German challenge

The European Union's top court has ruled today that Germany's consumer protection association could bring a legal challenge against Facebook parent Meta over data privacy.

Business • 28 Apr 22

Eurostat said industrial output in the euro zone rose 0.7% month-on-month for a 2% year-on-year gain

Euro zone production rebounds as expected

Euro zone industrial production rebounded as expected in February from a January slump thanks to stronger output of consumer goods, which offset declines in the output of energy and capital goods, data showed today.

Business • 20 Apr 22

The Irish Army has been serving on in Mali for almost a decade (File pic: Defence Forces)

EU halting military training in Mali, staying in Sahel

The EU is shutting down parts of a mission on which Irish troops have been serving for almost a decade.

World • 12 Apr 22