# Brussels
This week
4th June 2023 - 10th June 2023
# Your Say
Poll: Do you know who your MEPs are?
Next year Ireland will elect 14 MEPs to represent the country in Brussels.
This year
2023
# Police raid
Police raid European People's Party headquarters in Brussels
The party, of which Fine Gael is a member, confirmed the raid earlier today.
# security policy
Tánaiste Micheál Martin is ‘developing proposals’ around Ireland’s neutrality
Speaking at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said stakeholders and the public will be consulted in a ‘meaningful way’.
# Bribery
Global trade union leader sacked over ties to EU corruption scandal
The scandal involves allegations that Qatar and Morocco funded cash bribes to influence EU politicians.
# EUMAM Ukraine
Up to 30 Irish troops will travel to Europe to train Ukrainian troops in 'non-lethal' skills
The cabinet confirmed the move this morning and will see the troops deployed in the coming months to the newly established EUMAM Ukraine.
Last year
2022
# Ugly scenes
Riots erupt in Brussels after Morocco stun Belgium at World Cup
Police used water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters.
# Foreign Affairs Council
Coveney to discuss Ukraine and climate with foreign ministers in Brussels
The minister also spoke out against the Iranian government’s crackdown on protestors
# Belgium
Belgian police officer killed in knife attack in Brussels
Anti-terror prosecutors have taken charge of the inquiry.
# EU summit
'A good day for Europe': Ukraine and Moldova officially granted EU candidate status
EU leaders met to consider applications for EU candidacy from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
# Brussels
EU agrees ban on more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports
The EU has already slapped five rounds of sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
# Brussels
EU Commission plans to force web firms to combat child sex abuse images
The plan calls for a European centre to combat child sexual abuse, based in The Hague and working with police agency Europol.
# Brussels
EU member states continue to negotiate details of Russia oil embargo
Several member states, most vocally Hungary, have demanded exemptions from the ban.
# paris attacks
Belgium trial starts for alleged Paris attack accomplices
The 14 accused are suspected of transporting, housing or financially helping some of the perpetrators of the 2015 Paris attacks.
# Brussels
Consensus proving difficult as EU discusses fresh sanctions on Russia
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said banning Russian oil was “very difficult for some member states”.
# Covid-19
Leo Varadkar self isolating after positive Covid-19 antigen test
The CMO has not recommended re-introducing measures to curb the spread of the virus.
# Meetings
Biden and other leaders head to Brussels ahead of back-to-back Nato, G7 and EU summits
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other leaders are also travelling to Brussels on Thursday.
# Ukraine
Ukraine nuclear plant: Russia denies shelling to Security Council; Coveney warns of 'new red flag'
The Foreign Affairs minister spoke ahead of a meeting of ministers to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
All time
# brussels bombings
Trial of ten men accused of involvement in the 2016 Brussels bombings to open in October 2022
Six of the suspects are already on trial in France over the November 2015 Paris attacks.
# Brussels
Clashes erupt at Brussels protest against Covid rules
Thousands of people gathered in Brussels to demonstrate against the latest restrictions announced on Friday.
# covid pass
Leo Varadkar says gardaí and security companies could check if pubs are following Covid rules
Speaking in Brussels today, he said the Government was looking at further options to ensure Covid rules were being followed.
# Hungary
Von der Leyen 'very concerned' over Hungary law banning LGBT 'promotion' to minors
She said the European Commission is “assessing if it breaches relevant EU legislation”.
# Brussels
Legal showdown between EU and AstraZeneca begins, with EU seeking huge fine
The Anglo-Swedish company is set to provide 70 million doses in the second quarter – it had promised 180 million.
# Returned
Ancient Roman statue stolen 10 years ago found in Brussels antiques shop
The “Togatus” marble piece was looted in 2011 from a villa in Rome.
# Belgium
Belgian police clash with large crowd at 'April Fool's' party in Brussels park
The festival, dubbed ‘La Boum’ or ‘the party’, had been advertised on social media and police warned that it was a fake event on April Fool’s Day.
# grumbles in brussels
EU leaders agree to cut emissions by 55% over the next decade after all-night summit
Leaders also came to a compromise yesterday to clear the way for a €1.8 trillion Covid-19 recovery package.
# level playing fields
'This is move week': Where are post-Brexit trade talks at right now?
It’s another crunch week on the Brexit front – so what are the sticking points?
# Brexit
‘Very serious’ gaps remain between UK and EU positions in trade talks
Time is running short for a deal to be in place before the transition period expires at the end of the year.
# Brussels
EU leaders demand Britain budge on post-Brexit deal as UK 'disappointed' at summit conclusion
EU leaders met today in Brussels for a two-day summit.
# time running out
EU and UK to resume talks next week as time starts to run out for a trade deal
No 10 says there have been ‘useful discussions’ but that differences remain on some ‘important issues’.
# MEP
Local councillor Colm Markey is set to be Ireland's newest MEP - but who is he?
Colm Markey will replace Mairead McGuinness as an MEP.
# Brexit
UK chief negotiator says government 'not scared' of no-deal exit from EU
David Frost was speaking in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.
# essential workers
MEPs ask Taoiseach to allow Covid testing as replacement for quarantine on return to Ireland
Billy Kelleher, Seán Kelly, and Ciarán Cuffe have written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin to ask for MEPs to be treated as essential workers for travel purposes.
# unrelenting pressure
From a trickle to a torrent: How days of revelations made Phil Hogan's position untenable
The unending revelations from GolfGate took a toll on the trade commissioner.
# Negotiations
Brexit trade talks resume in Brussels
Officials from the EU and UK sides will enter into detailed haggling today and tomorrow.
# Brussels
'Frugals' holding out as EU leaders fail to agree on €750 billion rescue package after late-night talks
The leaders are gathering briefly this morning after spending the night negotiating in smaller groups.
# Brussels
'People are dying': EU leaders remain 'fundamentally divided' over €750 billion rescue deal
Frugal states are resisting pleas to agree to a plan to help the countries hardest hit by the pandemic.
# Brussels
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher apologises for not self-isolating when returning for election of Taoiseach
Kelleher said it was “an error of judgement” to attend the Dáil sitting in the Convention Centre.
# coronabonds
North-south split opens up as EU finance ministers fail to agree coranvirus bailout plan
Italy and Spain are insisting on a solidarity fund but this is being resisted by Germany.
# No deal
'We can't accept it': The EU budget summit has ended without agreement
Leo Varadkar had said that the budget proposal as it stood was “not something [Ireland] can accept”.
# Brussels
Irish 'cold-storage' MEPs Deirdre Clune and Barry Andrews have taken their seats
Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews has given his first address to parliament after what he called “a tough week” for his party.
