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.

BUSINESS PEOPLE, trade unions and politicians welcomed the Irish referendum vote as a breakthrough for the beleaguered Lisbon Treaty over the weekend, while the European Commission said it will undertake research on just why the Irish changed their minds.

REMINISCENT of the refrain shouted by parents everywhere, makers of personal music players have been told by the European Commission to turn it down, as research says up to 10 million people in Europe are in danger of going deaf.

THE obesity battle is being brought to the school gate with Ireland chosen as one of seven EU countries where a roadshow on the benefits of better eating and more exercise for children will be rolled out.

THIS time next week our fate as part of the EU will be decided.

IRISH people living in Brussels are being offered free flights home to canvass in the referendum campaign.

A NEW watchdog system to identify and give early warnings of banking problems across the EU has been unveiled by the European Commission.