Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of law
Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia actively pursue regressive policies, watchdog finds
EU
Mairead McGuinness will be paid fees as EU special envoy for religious freedom
European Commission not explicit on how much one-time Áras hopeful is expected to be paid
Mairead McGuinness appointed EU’s special envoy on religious freedom
Former European commissioner’s new role includes raising awareness about religious discrimination outside the EU
‘Significant role’ of Aughinish Alumina for civilian use must be considered in further Russian sanctions
Helen McEntee says 20th package of sanctions under discussion over Ukraine war; Limerick plant under pressure over weaponry links
How Irish wool became cool: from Rathlin Island rope to JW Anderson’s Wicklow yarn
‘Forty kilos of our wool were tested by JW Anderson’s team, and Jonathan loved it’
‘You should freak out’: Brussels grapples with warnings from the AI frontier
Brussels regulators get expert help to watch for any hint of tech companies ‘losing control’ of their own artificial intelligence
Troy Parrott gets a shoutout during Zohran Mamdani’s St Patrick’s Day ‘hijack’
Visionary leader sought for Ireland’s AI office; RTÉ cranks up the hyperbole for Jessie Buckley; hairdressing classes for ‘warehoused’ prisoners
Ireland joins the hunt for Russian submarines
From ‘token navy’ to sub-hunters: The plans to transform the Irish Naval Service into a modern military force
Children and young people face a ‘truly toxic online landscape’, doctors warn
Irish Medical Organisation calls on Government to use its upcoming EU presidency to educate people on risks of social media
Fears of prolonged shock to global oil and gas prices deepen amid Middle East attacks
EU will table ‘temporary, tailored and targeted’ measures to help ease burden of high energy costs, says Ursula von der Leyen
New Australia-EU trade deal may be sealed by next week
Government opposition to Mercosur pact with South American companies not to be repeated with Australian proposal
EU leaders are growing tired of the Viktor Orban show
Backtracking by Hungary’s far right prime minister on €90 billion Ukraine loan deal a ‘betrayal’ of fellow EU leaders
Rate of Halloween fireworks injuries among children ‘unchanged’ despite legal moves
An EU directive on the sale and marketing of pyrotechnics was enacted in Ireland in 2015
European leaders say they will not be drawn into Iran war
Fears new strikes on Gulf oil and gas production sites could do ‘lasting’ damage to energy supply
Ireland’s emissions remained almost within limit during first carbon budget
Second budget to 2030 presents tougher challenge as limits tighten further
Iran war: What can EU leaders do about rising energy prices?
Political danger of an inflation spike will focus the minds at Brussels summit on Thursday
Poland political gridlock threatens public finances with uncertainty, ratings agency warns
It follows days of insults and finger-pointing between the Polish government and the national conservative president, Karol Nawrocki
Polish government plans anti-drone system with EU loans despite president’s veto
President Karol Nawrocki blocks legislation but government says plan will proceed
Taoiseach says any supports to ease energy costs will be ‘targeted’
Tánaiste says Ireland does not back Trump call for western militaries to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
Small EU states should still value bloc foreign policy unanimity
Veto undoubtedly creates frustrations, but ensures states like Ireland are not compelled to align with foreign policies
Ireland has long been an outlier in the EU. We’ve just never had the courage to admit it
Only a multi-speed Europe – in which certain countries decide to move to closer integration, with others opting out – can save Ireland now
Two Chinese companies, Shein and Temu, are undercutting retailers in every country
If the Chinese juggernaut continues to make things better than Europeans, what is there for Europe to make?
A contested fry, Guinness shortages and police raids: St Patrick’s week in Brussels
Europe letter: St Patrick’s Day receptions are a classic exercise in diplomatic soft power, but securing an invitation can be a challenge
The Irish Times view on the Ireland-UK summit: an ever-improving relationship
The two countries share common interests on security, trade and other interests
New legal powers will allow Naval Service to board vessels, including Russia’s shadow fleet
Existing laws will be updated to give the service ‘clearly defined statutory powers at sea to counter threats in our maritime domain’
Coolmore asks not to be hit with maximum €250,000 fines for destroying historic hedgerows
Coolmore says it was unaware of the law requiring it to seek approval for removal of more than 500m of hedgerows and that breach of prohibition was an error
Kremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orban in power
Vladimir Putin endorses plan drawn up by Russian consultancy that is under western sanctions
Reluctant Europe scrambles to contain fallout as Middle East war widens
Leaders are rushing to reinforce Cyprus, manage soaring energy costs and work out how far EU should go
Ursula von der Leyen questions EU’s ongoing need for consensus amid divisions with Orban
EU must consider whether consensus-based decision making on foreign policy is ‘hindrance’
My wife, who is not Jewish, asks me if we’ll know when it’s time to leave Ireland
Only after the name-changing debacle of Herzog Park and Bondi beach attack, Government realised the Jewish community were not paranoid
EU to push partners to cover €30bn aid gap for Ukraine
Kyiv could run out of funding unless the first disbursement of the EU package arrives by early April
Spain says ‘no to war’ in response to Trump threats
US president says bilateral trade ties to be cut over Iran
US-Israel attack on Iran
Trump and Netanyahu deserve our eternal gratitude for their heroic efforts to avert nuclear war
EU criticised over ‘changing the goalposts’ in reset talks with UK
Report from House of Commons committee welcomes moves but argues Brussels is doing better out of it than London
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