Europe EU treaty change: Will the vision of a super-regulator stand up to political reality?A perfect storm of pandemic, climate crisis and the rise of authoritarianism is forcing sweeping changes to the European project. But are member states ready to unpick treaties and overrule the single-country veto?
EU Ireland not opposed to EU treaty change, minister saysThomas Byrne said that Ireland will carefully consider proposals, which are expected to focus on health, energy, security and single country vetoes
EU Lucinda Creighton: EU must not make promises of membership to Ukraine that it will not keepThe EU has to decide if it wants Ukraine to join the bloc – and if not, then spare it the decades of delays that have poisoned relationships with Turkey and the western Balkans
Comment: Populism in France has not been defeated by Macron’s re-election The undeniable story of this campaign has been the continued rise of extreme politics
EU unveils plans to reduce dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds Russia supplies approximately 40 per cent of European gas
UN report shows Belarus organised Ryanair hijack, transport minister saysEamon Ryan notes review’s ‘long list of incriminating facts and evidence’ and says ongoing flight restrictions imposed by EU are justified
Special diplomatic assistance offered to 14 Irish couples expecting babies born through surrogates in Ukraine Russian military build-up on the Ukrainian border has led to serious concerns for the safety of the surrogate mothers, the babies, and the ability of Irish couples to travel in and out of the country
Donohoe says any easing of EU borrowing limits will be ‘challenging’European borrowing limits could potentially be eased due to member states running up large debts during the Covid-19 pandemic
Lucinda Creighton: Von der Leyen must hold the line on Poland and HungarySitting back and doing nothing will only encourage other EU states to behave in the manner of the two recalcitrant eastern European nations
Lucinda Creighton: When it comes to security, there’s no substitute for the ‘special relationship’Europe is right to grow its own defences in a time of global uncertainty, but nurturing the EU-US alliance must be prioritised
Defence department says Ireland would have veto on EU army In response to Ursula von der Leyen’s recent proposal for a European ‘defence union’, the state said any plans would require unanimous agreement from all member states
Europe at a crossroads: Why Angela Merkel’s departure is just one of the pressing issues facing a troubled continent After 16 years in power, the German chancellor is standing down. But who will be her replacement, and what are the wider implications for Europe as it grapples with a host of troubling crises?
Lucinda Creighton: Paris terror trial won’t change the past but will serve to remind us of an ever-present threatThe EU responded to the Paris attacks with new counter-terrorism measures, but more needs to be done, not least reckoning with jihadis who are EU citizens
John Walsh: Another refugee crisis could open the door to Eurosceptic populismA much more coherent and flexible immigration system is needed as the turmoil in Afghanistan and climate change could mean the displacement of millions of people and see a rise in far right Eurosceptic support here
Susan O’Keeffe: Merkel’s departure provides huge challenges for Germany – and EuropeEU leaders will watch with bated breath on September 26 – nowhere more than in Ireland which has enjoyed a positive relationship with the bloc’s key member in the past decade
John Walsh: It’s time for us to clarify our place within the EUContrary to some reports, our country is far from a failed state, but it’s vital that we develop a coherent national identity within Europe
Lucinda Creighton: As Merkel bows out, who will be the steadying hand of Europe?Armin Laschet, the staid new leader of the centre-right CDU, may just hold off the charismatic Greens leader Annalena Baerbock to become German chancellor
Analysis: Unchecked lobbying could corrode trust in EU, fears European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is concerned that the lure of ‘big bucks’ from lobbying firms for outgoing politicians and officials is having a corrosive effect and is handing ammunition to Eurosceptics
EU programmes on climate and digitisation are inadequate, says Martin Taoiseach calls for more expansive approach to EU spending in virtual address
