FISHERIES Minister Sean Connick has denied Ireland ignores the scientific evidence in favour of increasing fish stocks available to the Irish fleet.

IRELAND’S small island and inland fishermen are siding with the European Commission and environmentalists against the Government and the big fishing interests at the annual battle for fish quota.

WE have been through another week of absurd politics in the European Union, and who knows what the leaders summit on Thursday and Friday will bring.

THE EU will sign the loan agreement with Ireland before Christmas and be ready to raise the bailout money in the new year, the head of the European Financial Stability Fund announced following last night’s eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels.

BUSINESSES with branches in different EU member states could have the same telephone number for customer support under a suggestion floated by the European Commission.

IRELAND will be allowed to retain its 12.5% corporation tax rate, but is under pressure in bailout talks to give fewer tax breaks to foreign multinationals, say EU sources.

THE European Commission document on reforming the €55 billion Common Agricultural Policy outlines three options, ranging from a gradual change from the present system to a radical overhaul that would phase out direct payments in their current form.

DESPITE two years of restructuring and up to €50 billion of taxpayers’ money, there is growing consensus the country’s banking system is still in need of a complete overhaul.