The Irish Times view on Ursula von der Leyen: overstepping her brief
Member states will not be reassured nor reform facilitated by a go-it-alone commission president
European Commission
Read the latest news, analysis, and features on the European Commission, one of the key institutions of the European Union
EU should resist Ursula von der Leyen’s foreign-policy power grab
The commission president has often taken positions that have not been agreed by member states
Here are five ways we can bring help life back to our towns and cities
More than 100,000 homes could be created by converting old premises and promoting living over shops
How Phil Hogan laid the groundwork for a possible comeback
Former minister and European commissioner nominated by Government following independent selection process
EU gets defensive against China with ‘Made in Europe’ plan
Strategy envisages Chinese being half owned by European entities
‘Parents haven’t a clue’: Ireland urged to get young people off ‘toxic’ social media
People Before Profit Bill aims to ban recommender algorithms suggesting content for under 18s
Campaign for UN job will test Phil Hogan’s reputation as back room dealmaker
Hogan will first need to lock in support of other European governments in race to head UN food agency
Ukraine under pressure to allow EU access to pipeline carrying Russian oil
Hungary and Slovakia accuse Kyiv of overstating the impact of an attack by Moscow on Druzhba pipeline
Phil Hogan nominated by Government to contest race for senior UN job
Hogan secures backing to participate in election to be body’s next Food and Agriculture Organisation director general
Departments ask to borrow corporate firms’ staff for Civil Service during EU presidency
Senior officials warned to not let extra workload during EU presidency pull focus from domestic agenda
Inside Ireland’s preparations for EU presidency: ‘You have to make the country look good’
Concern at senior levels of Government that Brussels deal making demands during EU role will pull bandwidth from domestic agenda
Ministers flag up opportunities for Irish exporters in muted Mercosur response
Opposition and farmers condemn EU move to allow South America trade deal to operate provisionally
EU’s anti-fraud agency set to investigate Peter Mandelson
Request made by European Commission following release of documents highlighting Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Planners may axe Dublin Airport night-flight limit
European Commission ruling finds previous decision imposing restriction breached regulations
Ireland’s EU presidency: How it works and what to expect
Six-month stint in influential European council deal-making role will consume a lot of Government’s bandwidth
Orban spoils the show of united EU front as Ukraine war enters fifth year
‘We don’t hate Ukraine’, says Hungarian minister before saying why far-right government threatened to block sanctions on Russia
Simple, well-designed investment account can channel household savings into real growth
Proposed retail investment roadmap presents opportunity to modernise a tax framework out of step with international norms
US trade representative says supreme court ruling will not unravel deals
Jamieson Greer’s remarks come amid huge uncertainty over trade deals with the US as Trump responded angrily to the court’s decision
What are the latest developments with proposed new social media laws?
Government has already announced trial of ‘digital wallet’ age verification mechanism for accessing platforms
Hungary blocks €90bn EU loan to Ukraine days before war anniversary
Loan was agreed in December by EU leaders as a lifeline for Kyiv
Ireland’s time in EU hot seat has potential for plenty of awkward moments
Government approach to tricky debates around defence, Big Tech and US relations will be closely watched during EU presidency
No legislation being prepared to ban social media access for under-16s, says Government
Coalition plans to consult EU and ‘like-minded countries’ to promote Europe-wide measures that could keep children off social media
As Europe eyes a two‑speed Union, Ireland worries about being left in the slow lane
Latest ‘enhanced co-operation’ proposal opens the door to controversial two-track EU
Sale of Energia in €2.75bn deal wins approval from European regulators
French private equity group Ardian now poised to close deal to buy electricity and gas group that supplies 20% of Irish energy
New digital and AI strategy to confirm plans for under-16s social media ban
‘Digital wallet’ for age verification to be trialled as online safety becomes priority for EU presidency
Meta urges Ireland to block planned EU law targeting addictive social media features
The tech giant included the proposal in a submission to the Government on Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency
EU tones down criticism of Viktor Orban ahead of election
European Commission wary of giving longtime Brussels antagonist ammunition during campaign
Ireland should avail of EU loans for defence if scheme reopens, says Harris
State not ‘immune from the big threats’, says Tánaiste
Push to close nicotine loopholes at EU level, WHO chief tells McNeill
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of ‘strong opposition’ from industry over vapes and pouches
Munich was no love-in, but Rubio spared Europe a Valentine’s Day massacre
Shuttling between realpolitik slap and diplomatic tickle, US secretary of state urges end to ‘western malaise’
Ireland may be about to find itself left outside Europe’s inner club
We can’t afford to be seen as also-rans, but there were worrying signs this week
‘Buy European’, reforms, trade deals: How EU plans to jump-start bloc’s sluggish economy
EU leaders met this week to talk about reversing a trend that spells trouble for the union
‘Fighting for our place in new global economy’: EU leaders meet to revive bloc’s economy
Smaller coalition could go it alone on EU capital market reforms, says Ursula von der Leyen
Fast-tracking Ukraine: why Europe is wary of bending rules for EU entry
Behind public words of support, national governments have concerns such as corruption, the impact on agriculture and freedom of movement
Three-quarters of voters in Ireland back social media ban for under-16s
There is also strong support for inserting guarantee of neutrality into Constitution
European Commission restarts graduate recruitment for first time since 2019
Process viewed as an important way to replace retiring Irish officials
European Commission seeks to force TikTok to end ‘infinite scrolling’
Significant decision by EU regulators intended to push TikTok to make its app less addictive
Trade talks and visas could be used as leverage by US in EU tech regulation row
Helen McEntee says she told Trump administration EU legislation is aimed at protecting consumers
Social media groups cannot catch all harmful posts, TikTok tells Oireachtas committee
X criticised by rival social media groups over snub to Oireachtas committee after controversy over Grok nudification feature
European Commission rebuts US politicians’ claim of Irish 2024 election social media censoring
Irish regulators are accused in US Congress panel report of working with ‘biased fact checkers’
Meta’s AI tools are trained not to undress people, Oireachtas committee to hear
Refusal of X to appear labelled ‘deeply disappointing’ by media committee chairman
Huawei lobbies Government for ‘proportionate’ EU regulation and cutting red tape
Meetings came after European institutions suspended contacts with Chinese group’s lobbyists in Brussels
Ireland’s vote against Mercosur down to baseless fears, says von der Leyen’s deputy
Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s second in command, said trade agreement would build bridges
Social networks could be treated as publishers if they host illegal content, Minister of State says
Government considering law that would ban ‘deepfakes’, Niamh Smyth says
European Commission opens investigation into Grok’s ‘nudification’ feature
Probe launched into breaches of EU digital regulations by X and Grok following recent controversy
After deadly blaze, Hong Kong faces questions over safety, trust and power
Almost two months after the blaze that killed 168 people, survivors are still in limbo, caught between grief, rehousing promises and growing political unease
MEPs refer Mercosur deal to EU courts, throwing future of trade agreement into doubt
Any decision to allow trade deal to come into force provisionally as an interim measure would be controversial
European leaders hope to avoid Greenland dispute escalating into trade war
Macron likely to propose first use of bloc’s ‘bazooka’ emergency power to increase its negotiating leverage
Fears about Mercosur trade deal ‘unfounded’, says Michael McGrath
Agreement between EU and South American bloc signed by commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday
Irish farm lobby’s decision to oppose Mercosur could cost them when next EU budget is framed
What happens to the EU payments matters much more to beef farmers than the price of cattle and budget will be under pressure
‘Concerns remain’ around Grok despite X’s assurances, says Minister
Coco’s Law bans sharing of intimate images but does not appear to criminalise generating them
EU ‘membership-lite’ plan for Ukraine spooks European capitals
Reforms under discussion would tear up accession rules to allow Kyiv to join in a potential peace deal
Denmark’s plan for a greener country offers ideas worth Ireland’s attention
Carbon tax on farming and taking land out of agricultural production among bold moves by the Danes
European Parliament vote could yet spring a late Mercosur twist
Shifting alliances mean parliament vote to ratify EU-South American trade deal will be a close one
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices