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Dublin: 14 °C Monday 20 May, 2013
European Union

European Union

A political and economic union consisting of 27 member countries. It is a trading bloc with common trading laws and product regulation for all of its members. The union was originaly the European Coal and Steel Community and was set up after the Second World War to help improve relations between countries. In 1957 it became the European Economic Community and in 1993 the EU was formally established.

# european-union - Saturday 18 May, 2013

The EU is banning refillable bottles of olive oil

The new food safety rules mean restaurants will not be able to buy oil from specialised producers.

# european-union - Tuesday 14 May, 2013

Ireland to contribute over €90 million extra to EU budget for 2013

The contribution is part of an overall contribution of €7.3 billion to cover a spending shortfall from 2012.

Arrogant, uncaring BUT trustworthy – how Europeans see Germany

The prolonged economic crisis has actually separated the French from the Germans, and the Germans from everyone else, says a new report.

It might be time to say goodbye to those tiny cent coins

The European Commission is looking at replacing one and two cent coins or getting rid of them entirely due to the costs involved in making them.

Your Say This post contains a poll

Poll: Do you trust the European Union to represent your interests?

A new survey has shown a massive decline in favourable views of the EU. So, do you trust them to make decisions that are right for you?

# european-union - Monday 13 May, 2013

Column: Insinuating that young people ‘aren’t bothered’ with politics is insulting and false

Various political scandals and our current economic woes have increased levels of mistrust in politicians among young people. This does not mean we are apathetic, we just need to be engaged, writes Órla Ryan.

# european-union - Sunday 12 May, 2013

A third of David Cameron’s party will vote against him over EU membership

A backbencher has tabled a non-binding motion criticising the government for its delay in holding a referendum on the EU.

The EU’s poorest country is voting in a snap general election today

A snap general election is likely to see the ruling GERB party win the most votes but with no overall majority a hung parliament is likely.

# european-union - Sunday 5 May, 2013

Your Say This post contains a poll

Poll: Has President Michael D Higgins crossed the line by criticising Europe?

Some believe the president has overstepped the remit of his office by criticising EU austerity policies in an interview with the Financial Times.

# european-union - Thursday 2 May, 2013

Michael D: ‘The EU will become illegitimate without economic reform’

President Higgins says the EU is facing a “moral crisis” as much as an economic one: “You are either a union or you’re not.”

# european-union - Tuesday 30 April, 2013

From Business ETC Irish Stability Programme This post contains videos

Opponents say Irish Stability Programme Update is further proof that austerity isn’t working

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said that government’s reduced forecast had shown that its current policy of austerity was not working.

From Business ETC Unemployment

Record breaker: Eurozone unemployment now at 12.1 per cent

Over 19 million people are unemployed in the eurozone but Ireland has recorded one of the largest year-on-year decreases in unemployment rates.

Central Bank governor Honohan to face TDs and senators

Patrick Honohan will discuss economic and monetary union with TDs and senators on the Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee this afternoon.

# european-union - Monday 22 April, 2013

EU eases Syria oil embargo in fresh help to rebels

Russia said the EU decision was “counter-productive”.

Commission recommends that talks start on Serbian entry to EU

An accord to normalise relations with Kosovo is seen as the final step to beginning negotiations on Serbia becoming the 29th EU member state after Croatia joins later this year.

# european-union - Thursday 18 April, 2013

From Business ETC Trade

World business leaders meet in Dublin to advance transatlantic trade deal

The round table discussion will coincide with the meeting of EU trade ministers at Dublin Castle.

# european-union - Wednesday 17 April, 2013

President Higgins: We cannot ignore the suffering of European citizens

In an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Higgins said citizens placed their trust in elected members and they must act in their best interests.

# european-union - Tuesday 16 April, 2013

From Business ETC Horsemeat

EU horsemeat tests put Ireland in the clear

All beef samples tested negative for horse DNA though one horse carcase was found to have traces of bute and is now under investigation.

Shatter publishes human trafficking bill to tackle forced begging

The Immigrant Council of Ireland welcomed the bill but said trafficking for sexual exploitation remains the most predominant form.

# european-union - Monday 15 April, 2013

Ireland got a ‘B’ grade for its last European presidency

The US said it would give Ireland a “tentative B” for its 2004 presidency of the European Union.

# european-union - Tuesday 9 April, 2013

Plastic chemical may expose foetuses to cancer

Bisphenol A is a common component of plastic bottles and the linings of food cans

From Business ETC Horsemeat

Horsemeat scandal to play ‘significant role’ in Irish food business growth

A new Europe-wide focus on labelling and traceability could increase turnover for these businesses over the next year, according to a new report.

International students flock to Greece to study crisis

The country has become a case study for those studying economics, political science and journalism.

EU finance chiefs to get tablet PCs for ‘paperless’ Dublin summit

EU finance ministers will hand back the tablets after the two-day summit concludes at Dublin Castle this weekend.

# european-union - Monday 8 April, 2013

Serbia rejects EU proposal to ease tensions with breakaway Kosovo

A deal with Kosovo to ease tensions with Kosovo are a pre-condition for Serbia to join the European Union later this year.

Asbestos This post contains videos

MEPs call for removal of asbestos from all public buildings

If passed in parliament, a new report would also see member states required to provide increased protection and training for workers.

# european-union - Thursday 4 April, 2013

Committee to discuss banking crisis with Dept of Finance and Central Bank

The committee will meet this morning with officials from the Dept of Finance and Central Bank of Ireland

# european-union - Tuesday 2 April, 2013

From Business ETC Directors

One in three directors in Ireland is female – report

New research indicates that Ireland is now within seven per cent of the target recommended by the European Union for 2020.

Column: The EU need not look beyond its own borders to see widespread poverty

At 38 per cent, Ireland has the highest rate of children at risk of poverty in Western Europe. But, far from protecting the vulnerable, the government has introduced austerity measures that mean the rich get richer, writes Richard Manton.

# european-union - Monday 1 April, 2013

Declan Ganley says need for a new political party is ‘obvious’

The Libertas founder has confirmed that he is considering establishing a new political party in Ireland.

# european-union - Friday 29 March, 2013

Column: EU unity is little more than fiction in the wake of Cyprus being hung out to dry

The Cypriot case demonstrates that the European authorities are now prepared to cross the rubicon into the appropriation of deposits. It seems clear that this crisis has seen the Eurozone enter a new and dangerous phase, writes John O’Brennan.

# european-union - Thursday 28 March, 2013

From Business ETC EU Budget

Ireland likely to contribute additional €100 million due to EU budget shortfall

THE EU is looking for an additional €11.2 billion from its member states to cover unpaid claims from 2012.

# european-union - Saturday 23 March, 2013

From Business ETC Cyprus This post contains videos

Merkel ally admits European authorities underestimated Cyprus ‘mess’

Elmar Brok, the chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has admitted he can foresee a situation where Cyprus could exit the single currency and said that authorities underestimated the current situation there.

# european-union - Friday 22 March, 2013

From Business ETC Cyprus

Cypriot parliament approves first EU bailout measures

MPs voted in favour of a national solidarity fund meaning the nationalisation of public and private sector pensions and of capital controls to prevent a run on banks.

# european-union - Wednesday 20 March, 2013

Cyprus president demands bailout decision on Thursday

Earlier today the European Commission said it is up to the Cypriot government now to present an alternative scenario for the bailout.

Gender pay gap in Ireland still ‘unacceptably’ wide

A report that was discussed in the European Parliament today found that 38 per cent of Europeans rank the pay gap as the most important inequality.

# european-union - Tuesday 19 March, 2013

EU reports lowest number of road deaths in 2012 since records began

The number of road deaths in the 27-member bloc fell by 9 per cent last year, and is two-thirds lower than in 1965.

# european-union - Friday 15 March, 2013

From Business ETC European Union

Eurozone finance ministers consider Cyprus bailout

The meeting of finance ministers will follow day two of a summit by EU leaders which will focus on the Syrian crisis.

# european-union - Monday 11 March, 2013

EU-wide ban on cosmetic animal testing takes effect from today

The cosmetics directive, introduced in 2004, takes full effect today – banning animal testing on cosmetics within the EU.

# european-union - Wednesday 6 March, 2013

From Business ETC Recession

Eurozone sinks further into recession in last quarter of 2012

Figures from Eurostat confirm initial estimates in February that the eurozone economy shrank by 0.6 per cent in Q4 of 2012 with the EU shrinking by 0.5 per cent.

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