Moving and shaking on a sticky issue

Ireland has an ally in refusing to increase its low corporation tax rate, with Cyprus insisting it must not be forced to raise its rate as a condition of its bailout.

Cyprus, the fourth country to apply to the EU for a bailout, expects Russia will agree to give them a loan without conditions, according to Cypriot president Demetris Christofias.

A full public debate on whether Ireland should impose a €500m transaction tax on bankers and derivative trading is essential before the Government rejects the idea, Labour MEP Nessa Childers has said.

The European Parliament has rejected a global agreement against copyright theft, handing a victory to protesters who say the legislation would punish people for sharing films and music online.

Higgins in the driving seat over buses

Ireland has effectively been handed a second chance to write the terms of the bailout.

For months, the Germans have said Europe needs a new treaty. But they sounded like people in a burning house talking about installing a sprinkler system.

The battle lines between France and Germany were last night threatening to scupper an outline for fiscal, banking, and political union in return for joint responsibility for debt that is aimed at restoring some market confidence in the eurozone.

Public services could suffer as a result of the big numbers taking early retirement, members of the troika have warned in their latest report, calling into question the Croke Park Agreement.