EU leaders agreed to contribute generously towards the estimated €22 billion to €50bn a year developing countries will need to deal with climate change.

THE mystery of just when the Government learned of John Bruton’s bid for the EU presidency deepened with a statement from the former Taoiseach that he had informed the Irish ambassador three weeks ago.

THE cabinet is expected to discuss Ireland’s next European Commissioner at their meeting tomorrow, while in Brussels the battle for Europe’s top jobs hots up.

GOVERNMENTS have been accused of adding billions of euro to the cost of running a business in Europe because of their addiction to gold plating.

IRELAND completed its ratification of the Lisbon Treaty when European Affairs Minister Dick Roche deposited it in Rome yesterday.

IRISH farmers would need the entire €280 million aid package on offer to EU dairy farmers this year to bring them back to profit, not the €11m they stand to receive, according to a farmers’ representative.

THE Czech government is to ask its fellow EU member states to allow the country to opt out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in an effort to persuade their president to sign the Lisbon Treaty.

THERE was more than a hint of the surreal about the debate on media freedom and Italy in the European Parliament during the week.

EUROPEAN Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso begins putting together his new commission this week – but he will have to leave at least one country out.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will be under pressure to nominate the next Irish Commissioner over the next 10 days.