European Commission

Read the latest news, analysis, and features on the European Commission, one of the key institutions of the European Union

Ireland and Apple face key opinion next week on EU tax case

Apple tax case: General mood in Government circles is that it’ll soon be releasing the funds in escrow bank to tech giant. But what if Vestager secures a rare tax-aid victory?

By CantillonSun Nov 05 2023 - 05:58

Five things that should be on the Coalition’s to do list before the election

Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy’s guide to the five things the Government needs to tackle over the next year

By Pat LeahySat Nov 04 2023 - 06:00

Germany calls for end of national vetoes on EU tax and foreign policy

Reforms debated to ensure EU continues to function if it adds new member states such as Ukraine

By Naomi O’LearyThu Nov 02 2023 - 16:43

Biden urges Netanyahu to maintain ‘urgently needed’ aid to Gaza Strip

Hamas releases two Israeli women who were taken hostage on October 7th

By Ronan McGreevyTue Oct 24 2023 - 12:40

Israel says it carried out ‘limited raids’ into Gaza Strip overnight

Tank and infantry raids struck Hamas targets and sought information on 222 hostages being held, Israeli military says

By Ronan McGreevyMon Oct 23 2023 - 15:09

The Irish Times view on social media regulation: era of light touch is over

The European Commission has requested a detailed response from X on its spreading of disinformation, violent content and hate speech

Fri Oct 20 2023 - 20:30

EU staff members express fury over von der Leyen stance on Israel-Hamas conflict

Letter with 842 signatures accuses European Commission of giving ‘a free hand to the acceleration and the legitimacy of a war crime’ in Gaza

By Naomi O’LearyFri Oct 20 2023 - 14:58

Protesters occupy EC offices in Dublin over ‘support’ for Israel in conflict

Dublin for Gaza group protest at European Commission headquarters in Dublin city centre

By Jack PowerThu Oct 19 2023 - 16:21

Irish MEPs criticise von der Leyen as she leaves debate without taking questions

Six Irish MEPs also call for resignation of Hungarian commissioner Oliver Varhelyi

By Naomi O’LearyWed Oct 18 2023 - 19:00

Inside Politics: European leaders to discuss ‘united’ approach on Israel-Hamas conflict

Cabinet to consider timing of once-off cost-of-living payments while Opposition to interrogate health service funding

By Jennifer BrayTue Oct 17 2023 - 08:11

EU stresses international law after confused response to Israel-Hamas conflict

National leaders to hold emergency meeting following von der Leyen’s visit to Tel Aviv

By Naomi O’LearyMon Oct 16 2023 - 17:53

Von der Leyen’s approach to Israel-Hamas conflict thoughtless and reckless, says Higgins

President says Israel left post-war norms on human rights ‘in tatters’ by announcing it would break international law in advance

By Naomi O’Leary and Harry McGeeMon Oct 16 2023 - 17:11

Where stands Europe as renewed conflict hits the Middle East?

Whereas supporting Ukraine was unanimously backed by EU member states, the Israeli-Palestine conflict profoundly divides them

By Naomi O’LearySat Oct 14 2023 - 06:00

Disputes among national watchdogs over Big Tech fines are ‘no problem’ - Europe’s chief data regulator

Anu Talus, the Finnish chair of the European Data Protection Board, the central body of national regulators overseeing EU data privacy laws, defends opposition to Irish watchdog’s fines

By Arthur BeesleyFri Oct 13 2023 - 06:30

EU response to the Israel-Hamas conflict is an ugly mess

Debacle has publicly undermined the EU on the international stage

By Naomi O’LearyThu Oct 12 2023 - 06:00

Ireland will fulfil commitment to protect 30% of marine areas by 2030 - Minister

Darragh O’Brien pledged to reach goal, with natural areas rising to 10 per cent of total in two years

By Glen MurphyWed Oct 11 2023 - 21:31

Elon Musk’s vision for free speech on X tested by Israel-Hamas war misinformation

Platform’s owner contends with wave of false or misleading content that has alarmed EU officials and advertisers

By Hannah Murphy and Daniel ThomasWed Oct 11 2023 - 10:06

EU states reach breakthrough on reforming migration rules

Agreement, labelled ‘a game changer’ by Ursula von der Leyen, allows member states to adjust rules in times of crisis and ask for help with relocation

By Naomi O’LearyWed Oct 04 2023 - 18:46

Bots, fakes and lies: TikTok discovers ‘covert influence operation’ targeting Ireland

In the News podcast: Network aimed at ‘intensifying social conflict’ originated in Ireland

By Bernice HarrisonMon Oct 02 2023 - 05:00

Listen | 27:42

Ireland is on the frontline of the battle against misinformation

We have EU-wide responsibilities that are enormous in scale and consequence

By Gerard HowlinFri Sept 29 2023 - 06:00

German recession could be ‘even worse than feared’, economists warn

According to five economic institutes, Europe’s largest economy will shrink by 0.6 per cent this year

By Derek ScallyThu Sept 28 2023 - 18:07

Farmers deserve more than empty promises and stroke politics

Every political party has known for years the derogation is incompatible with our climate targets. Despite this, zero planning has been done to prepare for its reduction

By Holly CairnsThu Sept 28 2023 - 06:00

TikTok discovers ‘covert influence operation’ targeting Ireland

Network followed by 95,000 accounts sought to ‘intensify social conflict’ with divisive posts

By Naomi O’LearyThu Sept 28 2023 - 05:30

Are the EU and China edging towards a trade war?

Inside Business podcast with Ciarán Hancock

Wed Sept 27 2023 - 14:55

Listen | 33:03

The Irish Times view on EU/China relations: tensions mounting on trade

Brussels has long complained about China’s failure to offer a level playing field to European companies seeking access to its market

Tue Sept 26 2023 - 20:18

Twitter worst offender among Big Tech for disinformation, EU warns

Senior official accuses Russia of ‘war of ideas to pollute our information space with half truths and lies’

By Naomi O’LearyTue Sept 26 2023 - 18:56

Dublin and Cork shortlisted for European Capital of Smart Tourism award

Irish cities chosen alongside Genoa, San Sebastián, Bremerhaven and Helsingborg

By Conor PopeMon Sept 25 2023 - 18:57

TikTok set to take over majority of space at Dublin office of X

Seen & Heard: EU corporate tax proposals, Ryanair considering move out of Dublin stock exchange, and inflation creates €14bn deficit in infrastructure budget

By Ellen O’ReganSun Sept 24 2023 - 14:12

Naomi O’Leary: Ireland’s risky exposure to China comes home to roost

Hardened EU and US policy puts Ireland at risk of collateral damage in trade war

By Naomi O’LearyThu Sept 21 2023 - 05:12

What is the nitrates derogation and how does it impact Irish farmers?

Tighter EU regulations in light of worsening water pollution crisis could have far-reaching implications for Irish farmers

By Kevin O'SullivanTue Sept 19 2023 - 18:32

‘I would sooner do time in Mountjoy’: A turf-cutter on his right to take fuel from the bog

Matt Corbett’s winter haul is already stacked in the big shed adjoining the house, which was built in 1972. Turf has been the family’s main source of fuel since then

By Keith DugganSat Sept 16 2023 - 07:00

Ireland to resist any European Commission plans to take more corporate tax

EU exploring ways to raise funds amid huge financial pressures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, future enlargement and the war in Ukraine

By Conor PopeFri Sept 15 2023 - 21:51

Explainer: Is the European Commission proposal to raise money with a levy corporate tax receipts a runner?

Ireland has a veto on any proposed new levies that would allow EU raise money directly to repay Covid-19 stimulus fund loans

By Naomi O’LearyFri Sept 15 2023 - 21:39

Nitrates decision will not be revisited despite engagement pledge, McConalogue says

Taoiseach told farmers he would write to EU Commissioner to discuss derogation in move welcomed by IFA

By Harry McGee and Ellen O’DonoghueFri Sept 15 2023 - 16:36

State plans to exempt foreign dividends from tax in ‘exchequer-neutral’ move

Ireland is ‘significant outlier’ on the taxation of foreign dividends. Department of Finance said

By Joe BrennanThu Sept 14 2023 - 17:40

EVs costing €25,000 made in Europe expected to be on the roads by 2025

Small electric cars on track to be widely available and to compete with cheap Chinese imports, analysis concludes

By Kevin O'SullivanWed Sept 13 2023 - 23:01

Libya floods: at least 5,300 people dead as thousands more missing

International aid begins to arrive as the UK announces an initial package worth up to €1.16m

By Sally HaydenWed Sept 13 2023 - 22:10

State of the Union starts countdown to 2024 EU elections

Ursula von der Leyen’s address offered hope to aspiring EU member states while she talked tough on China

By Naomi O’LearyWed Sept 13 2023 - 19:29

Ursula von der Leyen calls for ‘more dialogue and less polarisation’ in climate debate

European Commission president seeks to bridge gap with farmers over pace of regulatory change in State of the Union address

By Naomi O’LearyWed Sept 13 2023 - 12:44

EU revives corporation tax overhaul in fresh bid to reduce aggressive tax practices

eu corporate tax

By Naomi O’LearyTue Sept 12 2023 - 16:44

Growth of digital payments: Can retailers really refuse to accept cash?

Ireland has one of the highest values of online payments but EU is proposing measures to protect the use of cash

By Fiona ReddanTue Sept 12 2023 - 05:00

Tánaiste meets protesting farmers after they refuse to engage with Minister for Agriculture

Fianna Fáil gathering in Co Tippearay overshadowed by demonstrations over farm payments and nitrates directive

By Harry McGeeMon Sept 11 2023 - 16:45

Martin notes ‘huge incompatibility’ between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin when asked about future coalition

Party leader accuses media of ‘cheerleading’ Sinn Féin as if outcome of the next election is a ‘slam dunk’

By Harry McGeeMon Sept 11 2023 - 15:11

Wolves the first victim of the EU 2024 election campaign

Europe Letter: There’s politics and personal history behind Ursula von der Leyen’s wolf hunt

By Naomi O’LearyThu Sept 07 2023 - 05:00

The EU is poised for a giant leap towards further integration

There is increasingly serious talk in the bloc about all manner of far-reaching reform amid talk of expanding membership to beyond 30 countries

By Martin SandbuWed Sept 06 2023 - 05:00

EU to consider limiting protection for wolves amid resurgence as farmers raise concerns

Experts estimate that up to 19,000 wolves may be present in the 27 EU member states

By Lorne CookTue Sept 05 2023 - 07:01

Suitability of Hoekstra as next EU climate commissioner continues to be questioned

Nomination of Dutch caretaker foreign minister for role by European Commission president came as a surprise given his criticism of sharing fiscal burdens

By Peter CluskeyWed Aug 30 2023 - 17:07

EU capitals shocked by proposal for new Dutch commissioner

Wopke Hoekstra is not known for his good-natured bridge-building

By Peter CluskeySun Aug 27 2023 - 19:00

Irish consumers should see energy bills fall in coming weeks, says regulator

EU hits gas reserves target two months ahead of schedule but analysts say it might not be enough

By Conor Pope and Ian CurranMon Aug 21 2023 - 05:00

European elections will be among the ‘most significant’ in recent years, says Mairead McGuinness

Tensions over climate action will play out during campaign, MEP tells MacGill audience

By Jack Horgan-JonesThu Aug 17 2023 - 21:00

Crosswords & Puzzles

Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained

The Irish Times ePaper

Election 2024

Full general election coverage including analysis and results for all 43 constituencies

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

European Commission

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Subscribe

Support

About Us

Irish Times Products & Services