Enterprise to get new trains
Ireland’s only international train service is to get new rolling stock in a multimillion Euro deal. The costs of the new Belfast to Dublin Enterprise fleet will be split between…
Ireland must designate marine zones to seabirds and dolphins, demands European Commission
The European Commission has urged Ireland to complete its network of marine conservation zones or face legal action. Under the EU’s Habitats Directive, member states are required to designate areas…
EU and Mercosur drop tariffs
The EU-Mercosur trade deal has started to come into force following ratification by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Technically speaking the deal is “provisionally applied” until all EU countries have…
EU demands Ireland charge plastics producers clean-up costs
Plastics producers should be reimbursing local councils in Ireland for the cost of cleaning up pollution, the European Commission says. The EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive, is supposed to “prevent…
Martin promises to ‘negotiate strongly’ for farming
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has promised to fight for farmers’ funding as discussions over the EU’s future €2 trillion budget finally get under way. The leaders of the EU’s 27 member…
Schengen entry-exit system ‘operational’
Checks on non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area will be subject to the European Union’s extry-exit (EES) checks from today. The long-delayed roll out of the system was soft launched…
Ireland yet to get EU heritage status
More than a dozen sites across the EU have been added to the European Heritage Label, but none of them are in Ireland. The European Heritage Label was set up…
European Medicines Agency begins process to replace Emer Cooke
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun looking for a new Executive Director to replace Emer Cooke. The veteran Irish civil servant is due to retire in 2027. She has…
Ireland to hold national cyberattack exercise
A “national exercise” will be held in May to make sure that the state is prepared against a possible major cyberattack during Ireland presidency of the European Council, the head…
Byrne in Berne at sensitive moment for EU-Swiss relations
Europe Minister, Thomas Byrne TD, is in Switzerland today as part of diplomatic efforts ahead of Ireland taking over the rotating presidency of the European Council in July. Switzerland is…