THE Greek government is expected to call on a portion of the joint eurozone-International Monetary Fund loan of €45 billion later this week if they fail to raise money from the markets today at an acceptable rate.

THE European Central Bank (ECB) has criticised the legal structure for the proposed new Central Bank saying it lacks transparency and emphasising the need for it to be completely independent.

TOUGHER penalties and greater co-operation between EU member states to tackle child sexual abuse and trafficking in human beings have been proposed by the European Commission.

POVERTY is something we cannot afford, according to the European Commissioner with the not very sexy portfolio of employment, social affairs and inclusion.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was battling with Germany last night to avoid having to call a new referendum to change the rules of the euro.

ST PATRICK’S day in Brussels is unavoidable.

AN Irish official in Brussels, David O’Sullivan, is being touted for the post of secretary general of the EU’s new foreign service.

NORMALLY you won’t find a boy named Sue in Sweden.

IRELAND is unusual among western democracies in its continuing fight to have the plight of the Palestinians addressed.

THE shape of the European Union’s foreign service became clearer after two days of discussions between its chief, Catherine Ashton, and the foreign ministers of the 27 member states.