Ireland and the EU

Latest business news about Ireland and the European Union.

Brussels moves quickly on Nth Ireland agri-trade tariff solution — 30 January 2024, 17:36 CET

The EU Commission adopted a proposal Tuesday setting out a new EU-UK joint solution under the Windsor Framework regarding the use of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) by Northern Ireland businesses.

EU, UK formally adopt new N'thn Ireland Brexit deal — 27 March 2023, 18:14 CET

The EU and UK formally adopted a decision Friday laying down the arrangements relating to the Windsor Framework, the post-Brexit legal agreement on new arrangements for the Protocol on Northern Ireland.

EU's PEACE programme to bring EUR 1.1 bn to Nth Ireland and borders — 13 July 2022, 22:40 CET

The EU Commission adopted PEACE PLUS Wednesday, a new cross-border programme to strengthen peace and reconciliation and cooperation between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Brussels to appeal Apple tax state aid case in Ireland — 29 September 2020, 14:25 CET

The EU Commission decided Friday to appeal a European Court of Justice judgement which annulled a 2016 EC decision finding that Ireland granted illegal State aid to Apple through selective tax breaks.

European culture capitals offered extensions — 21 August 2020, 00:00 CET

Croatian city Rijeka and Galway in Ireland could extend their year as 2020 European Capitals of Culture until 30 April 2021, because of the effects of the coronavirus crisis, the Commission announced Tuesday.

EU Court annuls decision on Apple's tax payback — 16 July 2020, 18:25 CET

The EU's General Court annulled Wednesday a 2016 Commission decision to make Apple pay Ireland some EUR 13 billion in back taxes in compensation for what Brussels said had been illegal state aid.

Galway, Rijeka start as European Capitals of Culture — 03 January 2020, 23:28 CET

The city of Rijeka in current EU president Croatia and Galway in Ireland began their joint one year tenure of the title of European Capital of Culture on Wednesday 1 January 2020.

EU agrees aid package for Irish beef producers — 20 June 2019, 23:36 CET

EU Member States agreed Thursday to make EUR 50 million available to support Irish beef farmers, which can be matched by national funds to reach a maximum of EUR 100 million.

Investors looking to Ireland for EU Citizenship — 18 April 2019, 15:21 CET

Global investors who, prior to Brexit, may have focused their attention on the UK as a gateway to Europe, are now turning to Ireland for European residency.

Brussels withdraws Court action against Ireland over illegal aid to Apple — 19 October 2018, 00:37 CET

Following the confirmation by Ireland that the full recovery of the illegal State aid granted to Apple has been finalised, the EU Commission decided Thursday to withdraw its Court action against Ireland.

EUR 13 bn Ireland tax aid to Apple illegal, says EU — 31 August 2016, 23:49 CET

Ireland must recover undue tax benefits of up to EUR 13 bn granted to Apple, the EU Commission said Tuesday. This is illegal under EU state aid rules, as it allowed Apple to pay substantially less tax than other businesses.

Ireland: country overview — 25 January 2017, 20:49 CET

Since joining the European Union in 1973, Ireland (Éire) has transformed itself from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically advanced Celtic Tiger economy. The most important sectors of Ireland’s economy in 2015 were industry (39.1 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities (12.8 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (12.3%). Ireland’s main export partners are the US, the UK and Belgium, while its main import partners are the UK, the US and France.

Doing business in Ireland: Sustainability — 23 April 2012, 19:41 CET

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland develops policy, regulates environmental quality and maintains information on the legal and procedural obligations relating to environmental control.

Doing business in Ireland: Environmental rules — 23 April 2012, 18:35 CET

Businesses in Ireland must comply with certain European and national laws to lessen their environmental footprint. The areas covered by these laws include waste management and chemicals.

Doing business in Ireland: Staff welfare — 23 April 2012, 17:26 CET

Irish employment law and practice is based on a number of sources including Irish and EU-based legislation, decisions of the courts and custom and practice in this area.

The Euro area sovereign debt crisis: Safe haven, credit rating agencies and the spread of the fever from Greece, Ireland and Portugal (ECB Working Paper No. 1419) — 10 February 2012, 19:59 CET

Since the intensification of the crisis in September 2008, all euro area long-term government bond yields relative to the German Bund have been characterised by highly persistent processes with upward trends for countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals. Looking at the daily period 1 September 2008 - 4 August 2011, the paper finds that three factors can explain the recorded developments in sovereign spreads: (i) an aggregate regional risk factor, (ii) the country-specific credit risk and (iii) the spillover effect from Greece. Specifically, higher risk aversion has increased the demand for the Bund and this is behind the pricing of all euro area spreads, including those for Austria, Finland and the Netherlands. Country-specific credit ratings have played a key role in the developments of the spreads for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Finally, the rating downgrade in Greece has contributed to developments in spreads of countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals: Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Belgium and France.

EU approves capital injection into Irish Educational Building Society — 02 June 2010, 23:11 CET

The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules an emergency recapitalisation worth €875 million in favour of the Irish Educational Building Society (EBS) for a period of six months as urgent rescue aid.

Commission action makes setting up business in Ireland easier — 05 May 2010, 22:50 CET

Following changes to Irish legislation that remove obstacles to setting up a business in Ireland, the European Commission has closed its infringement case.

Representation of the European Commission in Ireland — 01 November 2009, 15:45 CET

Contacts of the European Commission representation in Ireland.

Access to finance — 22 June 2012, 00:08 CET

There are various sources of funding, support and advice available in Ireland for business owners from a variety of Irish bodies.

Setting up a business in Ireland — 01 November 2009, 15:46 CET

An overview of the process of starting a new business in Ireland.

Ryanair: How a Small Irish Airline Conquered Europe — 07 February 2008, 00:06 CET

Sheila O'Flanagan, Irish Times: Pacy and engaging... takes an informed look at the phenomenon that is Ryanair... skilfully sketches set-piece confrontations and their backgrounds.

Ireland and the euro — 03 February 2008, 23:32 CET

Ireland joined the European Union in 1973 and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.

European Commission prohibition of Ryanair's proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus – frequently asked questions — 27 June 2007, 12:09 CET

The European Commission on 27 June 2007 prohibited, on the basis of the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed takeover by Ryanair of Aer Lingus. It says the acquisition would have combined the two leading airlines operating from Ireland which currently compete vigorously against each other. The Commission concluded that the merger would have harmed consumers by removing this competition and creating a monopoly or a dominant position on 35 routes operated by both parties. This would have reduced choice and, most likely, led to higher prices for more than 14 million EU passengers using these routes to and from Ireland each year. The Commission's investigation and market test of remedies offered by Ryanair demonstrated that these remedies were inadequate to remove the competition concerns. In particular the limited number of airport "slots" offered was not likely to lead to competition sufficient to replace the competitive pressure currently exercised by each airline on the other. The Commission therefore concluded that the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area or a substantial part of it.

Find an office in Ireland — 31 August 2006, 23:05 CET

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