Language tests for new citizens
The fact that Ireland is the only EU country that doesn’t apply some test speaks for itself
European Union
A faithful visit: Minister impresses EU enlargement chief with lunch in Traitors’ Castle
Plus: A diplomatic practice becomes an ‘outrageous insult’; the ability to ‘quickly gain respect’ a key skill for €208,000 Garda job; and DJ Van Helden and CJH book find common thread
Ukrainian deputy prime minister airs Aughinish concerns with Ministers in Dublin
Vsevolod Chentsov insists EU should stop trading with Russia no matter how painful to member states
The EU has a chance to expand. It may not get another soon
With populists on the rise and elections approaching across Europe, Brussels is scrambling to advance enlargement plans
Russian ambassador not in position to ‘lecture’ Ireland over Ukraine war stance, says Taoiseach
State accused of ‘copy-pasting EU conspiracy theories’ after Yury Filatov summoned to meeting in wake of drone attack at German airport
Minister Patrick O’Donovan says life has changed ‘dramatically’ since falling ill in Brussels
O’Donovan was attending an event for Ireland’s EU presidency when he became unwell in Brussels
Right to repair could save us money - but questions still need to be answered
On the Money: New EU rules are designed to help reduce costs for the consumer and the environment - but are they workable?
Free education was a gamble that is still paying off
Free secondary education and a national system of school transport were transformational
EU’s €3 online shopping fee targeting cheap Chinese goods leads to major drop in imports
Levy of €3 generates €224m in first seven weeks of operation at Belgium’s main entry point
Canada looks to Europe as Trump escalates trade war but EU membership ‘not on front burner’
Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand attending meeting of EU foreign ministers in Co Wicklow
Make no mistake, US settlement is a win for Meta
With US deal agreed, there is little question of EU really dropping the hammer on Big Tech
Irish Government to summon Russian ambassador following Leipzig attack
EU’s high representative on foreign affairs signals sanctions on up to 1,600 Russian individuals and entities
Europe looks old and broke to its lenders, but it’s not the only region with problems
Lenders must choose between countries behaving like a bingeing entrepreneur, an elderly but reputable business owner and an indebted aristocrat
Iceland says no to EU membership talks
The Nordic country is a very special case. It would be foolish to draw hasty conclusions from this referendum result
‘That has changed’: Helen McEntee says Ireland now takes defence spending seriously
EU foreign affairs chief told Wicklow meeting Ireland has ‘much better neighbours’ than other European countries
Ed Miliband to join EU foreign ministers meeting in Wicklow this week
Helen McEntee to bring Meath twist to foreign ministers' dinner in Druids Glen
British warship and ‘sub hunter’ helicopter deployed for EU meeting in Wicklow
Royal Navy ship was requested by Irish authorities to provide defence during the event
Youth unemployment still well above pre-crash levels
New report underlines problems facing young people seeking work
Will putting our savings in Raisin create issues for executor down the line?
Wake-up call for the traditional Irish banks as even elderly customers eye up more attractive interest rates elsewhere
ChatGPT faces tougher rules under EU online safety regime
Reddit and Roblox also face additional obligations under bloc’s Digital Services Act
Plan to set 13 as EU-wide minimum age for social media access to be discussed
Fianna Fáil MEP calls on European Commission to take a stronger line against social network Meta following the conclusion of a US legal action
The Irish Times view on Iceland’s referendum: a clear ‘no’ to Brussels
Voters were not convinced of what they would gain from negotiating full membership
Iceland’s voters reject reopening of EU accession talks after divisive referendum
Campaign, which focused on sovereignty and control over fisheries and agriculture, ended in No side securing 52.8% of vote
The Irish Government is helping to usher in a new wartime economy in Europe
Europe has stumbled into a new growth paradigm with a reliance on the permanent threat of war
‘It was day 13 or 14 when people started dying’: More than 200 set sail for Europe. Only 36 survived
A harrowing story of death and survival on the Atlantic migration route from west Africa, ‘the deadliest in the world’
Irish pro-Palestine group reports Central Bank governor to International Criminal Court
They allege bank’s role in regulating sale of Israeli bonds in EU contributed to ‘genocide in Gaza’
Germany and ‘frugal’ allies signal budget compromise but reject further EU borrowing
Friedrich Merz and five other leaders demand spending cuts of ‘several hundred billion euros in a balanced manner’
Number of EU nationals declaring themselves bankrupt in Republic accelerates
Bulk of those engaging in the process were from Germany
‘We should be by ourselves’: Trump revives Iceland’s EU debate
Icelanders prepare to vote on whether they should make a second attempt at joining the bloc
European warships providing missile cover during EU presidency must stay 22km off Irish coast
Attorney General says it is unconstitutional for foreign military forces to deploy within Irish territory while on active operations
Air travel issues accounted for more than a third of complaints to European consumer authority
European Consumer Centre Ireland handled more than 4,000 queries last year, and recovered more than €400,000
Burnham’s soft launch is ending as hard foreign policy issues loom
New UK prime minister would rather focus on domestic policy over foreign, but that’s what they all say until geopolitics intrudes
Right-to-repair law takes effect in bid to extend lifespan of household goods
EU directive also aims to tackle waste mountain that grows by million of tonnes each year
Ireland facing €2.8m penalty plus daily fines for failing to adopt EU cybersecurity rules
State remains non-compliant two years after deadline, says professional services firm Aon
Ukraine imposes sanctions on Aughinish Alumina customers in Russia
Move aims to raise pressure on Ireland and EU to sanction Aughinish parent company and stop exports to Russia
Details of Taoiseach’s correspondence with tech giant Apple withheld on security grounds
Some of the world’s biggest technology companies lobbied the Government on AI and online safety before Ireland’s EU presidency
New €2 charge for online shoppers – what you need to know
EU-imposed handling fee is coming on top of recent customs duty change and, for some, delivery service handling charges
Online shoppers face new €2 charge for non-EU goods from November
New handling fee of €2 is set to be imposed on all purchases from outside the EU on top of existing €3 per item charge
EU plans ‘most far-reaching sanctions against Russia in coming months’
Measures to focus on Moscow’s military industrial complex
Who orchestrated the Ceuta migrant crossing?
Global Briefing: Allowing a rush of people to approach Europe’s borders has been repeatedly used for political purposes
‘If you want to get a job immediately in Brussels, speak Irish and do a law degree’
Wild Geese: Jim Maher, based in Brussels, is one of two deputy spokespersons for the European Parliament
Europe can’t have it both ways on migration
Europe cannot ethically base its economy on the availability of cheap migrant labour while demonising those who seek better lives
Morocco arrests more than 100 people attempting to enter Ceuta
Tightened border security around Spain’s north African territory after social media posts called for another mass crossing
To manage migration, Europe should help African countries improve their citizens’ lives
Worldview: Ceuta exemplifies how political surprises cut through the best diplomatic preparation
Hundreds evacuated from Croatian and Greek resorts as wildfires stretch across Europe
EU’s climate change service warns of ‘very extreme’ conditions across large area of central and eastern Europe
Harris lobbies against Israeli bond approvals returning to Ireland
Luxembourg will not renew role as approval body, causing it to revert to Dublin from September
Limerick mayor John Moran wanted to avoid taking ‘hard position’ on Aughinish Alumina, emails show
John Moran said calling for a forum was ‘very clever way’ to take ‘leadership role’ without ruffling feathers
Treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia should not be reimbursed by HSE, drug group recommends
Disease causes progressive damage to the nervous system with those affected having shorter life expectancy
China’s clean-energy gamble is paying off
As disruption in Strait of Hormuz rattles energy markets, Beijing’s long push towards electrification is cushioning the impact and reshaping global power
Europe needs to start treating the climate emergency as a threat to our national security
Idea that climate action is about individual responsibility is as ridiculous as suggesting everyone can equip themselves to fight in war
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