About: Ireland
Sinn Fein’s McDonald says ‘bad faith’ UK government boosts united Ireland case
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on Wednesday (18 May) said Britain’s proposals to override some post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland were “astonishing” and yet another move by London that only serves to boost the Irish nationalist party’s quest...
Sinn Fein calls for united Ireland debate after historic election win
Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), hailed its first victory in a Northern Ireland Assembly election as a "defining moment" for the British-controlled region and called for a debate on a united Ireland.
Port of Antwerp reaps rewards from Brexit
Brexit has been disastrous for EU-UK trade, but one unexpected beneficiary is the port of Antwerp which has seen its share of UK trade increase on the back of a transition away from rail shipping.
Russian invasion has not shifted opinion: Ireland will remain neutral
While the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shifted moods in other parts of the EU, Ireland’s attachment to the policy of neutrality makes it unlikely that it will seek to join NATO in the future, writes Dick Roche.
EU court sends message on data connection rules to Ireland, and France
The EU Court of Justice has once again examined the issue of connection data, reminding Ireland and France of the stringent framework that must surround collection and use. EURACTIV France reports.
Belgium expels 21 Russian diplomats, Netherlands another 17
Several European Union countries including Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland on Tuesday (29 March) expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, some for alleged spying, in what the Irish prime minister said was a coordinated move.
Ireland has escaped Brexit trade blow, say officials
Ireland has not been as badly hit by Brexit trade disruption as had been initially feared, according to government trade officials in Dublin.
Fifty years on ‘Bloody Sunday’ pain endures
Fifty years after "Bloody Sunday", Northern Ireland this weekend commemorates one of the most painful episodes during more than three decades of violence between Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists.
European Commission pushes back against calls for GDPR infringement procedure
For Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, it is too early to assess whether the cooperation mechanism at the basis of the enforcement of the EU's privacy rules, the GDPR, is functioning correctly.
EU to propose easing medicines flow from Britain to Northern Ireland
The European Commission is due to set out on Friday (17 December) legal changes to ease the transport of medicines from Britain to Northern Ireland, a move that could relieve EU-UK tensions over the British province's future after Brexit.
EU nationals in Ireland to face travel clearance at border under new law
EU citizens living in the Republic of Ireland will have to apply online for pre-travel clearance from the UK in order to cross into Northern Ireland under proposed new British immigration laws which moved closer to adoption this week.
European Commission accused of maladministration over GDPR enforcement
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) filed a formal complaint against the European Commission before the European Ombudsman on Monday (29 November) for failing to monitor enforcement of the EU's data protection law, known as the GDPR, and not holding Ireland accountable.
Brexit still an Issue for Europe whilst Britain’s border remains in Ireland
One important issue that the Conference on the Future of Europe needs to deal with is the relationship of the EU with the rest of the world. For me, that ‘rest of the world’ begins a few kilometres from my...
DSA: enforcement for very large online platforms moves toward EU Commission
The European Commission will have ‘exclusive power’ to enforce obligations on very large online platforms, according to the most recent compromise text on the Digital Services Act (DSA).
DMA : EU lawmakers want to impose minimum 4% fine on ‘gatekeepers’
Digital giants could be fined at least 4% of their annual turnover if they fail to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) if the opinion of MEPs in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee are heeded. EURACTIV France reports.
Irish minister: Europe needs to move away from foreign-controlled fossil fuels
The EU needs to increase its renewable energy capacity, become more self-sufficient in energy production and move away from foreign-controlled fossil fuels, according to Ossian Smyth, Irish minister of state.
Irish privacy watchdog endorses Facebook’s approach to data protection
A draft decision from Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) endorsing Facebook's legal basis for processing personal data has been met with criticism by a data protection activist who says the platform is trying to bypass EU privacy laws.
The global tax marathon: Winners and losers
Aspects of the global tax reform agreement which have largely gone unnoticed are likely to come in for closer scrutiny in national parliaments of EU countries and in the European Parliament where some pushback can be expected, writes Dick Roche.
Ireland agrees to global tax deal, sacrificing prized low rate
Ireland dropped its opposition to an overhaul of global corporate tax rules on Thursday (7 October), agreeing to give up its prized 12.5% tax for large multinationals in a major boost to efforts to impose a minimum rate worldwide.
Ireland’s decision to export live pigs, sheepmeat to China sparks backlash
Ireland has struck a new deal which will pave the way for the export of sheepmeat and breeding pigs from Ireland to China, in a move which has caused consternation among agricultural stakeholders. The deal, which follows years of negotiations,...
Ireland draws a red line on country of origin principle in DSA
Following a French initiative against the country of origin principle, Ireland is leading a counter-offensive of ten countries that consider the move would disrupt the digital single market.
US urges Ireland to take global tax deal
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged Paschal Donohoe, the finance minister of Ireland, to take a "once in a generation opportunity" for a global deal that would stop a race to the bottom on corporate tax rates, the Treasury said.
EU ministers clear Irish and Czech recovery plans
EU finance ministers approved on Monday (6 September) the recovery plans submitted by Ireland and Czech Republic, meaning that the proposals sent by 18 member states since April to access the coronavirus fund have now been validated.