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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
INDEPENDENT TD MICK Wallace is to file a complaint about the Minister for Justice’s use of information on RTÉ’s Prime Time last week.
Alan Shatter said on live television that the Wexford deputy benefited from garda discretion when he was cautioned for using a mobile phone – but not given penalty points. Wallace insists he is not aware of such an incident.
Shatter has stood by his remarks and he has also been backed by the Taoiseach who said that “people can’t have it both ways”. “You cannot be saying no discretion and at the same time availing of discretion.”
Labour Deputy Kevin Humphreys told Newstalk Breakfast this morning that he thought making the remarks was “poor judgement” on the minister’s part. He called on Shatter to explain how he received the information. Others have claimed the information could have been made public in a different manner, and not on live television without giving Wallace prior warning.
In today’s poll, we ask: Should Alan Shatter have made his comments about Mick Wallace on Prime Time?
Sunny intervals with a shower in places
Max: 16 °C
Min: 7 °C
Partial sunshine
Max: 15 °C
Min: 8 °C
