The European Union should increase trade tariffs on goods coming from illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, according to a fresh proposal to put pressure on Israel led by France and Sweden. European governments are reopening a fractious debate in Brussels about whether to sanction Israel, with Spain, Ireland and Slovenia repeating calls for […]
Continue ReadingNational governments will be encouraged to roll out “energy voucher” schemes for vulnerable households and introduce a temporary ban on power disconnections, as part of an EU plan to get to grips with the worsening energy crisis. A draft of a European Commission plan being prepared by Brussels officials, seen by The Irish Times, expectedly […]
Continue Reading“Who’s your daddy?” is a question that will follow Mark Rutte around for a long time. The former Dutch prime minister has really had one job since taking over as Nato secretary general: Keep Donald Trump onside and the western military alliance intact. Trump has publicly wondered about the usefulness of the Nato alliance since […]
Continue ReadingEurope will face higher gas prices “for years” to come even in the best-case scenario, and possible shortages in the supply of diesel and jet fuel in the short term if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, the European Union’s energy commissioner has warned. The senior Brussels-based politician said the most optimistic projections were “pretty […]
Continue ReadingThe oil and gas shock caused by the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused the cost of electricity to sharply diverge in Europe, with some countries cushioned while others feel the pain. On Tuesday, the cost of producing one megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy was €169.15 in Ireland, […]
Continue ReadingMinisters have been told to watch out for delays writing new EU rules and regulations into national law, to avoid getting an embarrassing rap on the knuckles from Brussels when Ireland holds the EU presidency. The Government is keen to avoid any “political damage” that could follow the European Commission pursuing new legal cases or […]
Continue ReadingUK consumers are paying more for chocolate eggs this Easter even as global cocoa prices tumble, as manufacturers try to recoup losses from a recent surge in the price of the raw material that analysts say will leave lasting marks on the confectionery industry. Prices for cocoa in New York and London have plunged more […]
Continue ReadingThe threat of strike action from hauliers continues to be on hold following a “positive” meeting on Friday with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), which is the representative body of the licensed road haulage industry in Ireland, is due to meet the minister again next week but is hopeful […]
Continue ReadingSupporting Ukraine will be a central priority of Ireland’s EU presidency this year, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee is expected to emphasise during her visit to Kyiv on Wednesday. She is also to say that Ireland will continue to offer assistance to Ukraine and ensure it has sustained financial support “to defend itself against […]
Continue ReadingThe European Union may have to take another look at whether alumina should be included in the sanctions regime against Russia, according to the bloc’s sanctions envoy. David O’Sullivan said this might have to be considered if alumina from a plant in Limerick is being used to make aluminium that ends up “finding its way, […]
Continue Reading