THERE will be no more big bang enlargements of the European Union and in future countries will be admitted one-by-one, EU leaders have agreed.

EUROPEAN Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is threatening to take the Government to court over the favourable conditions it allows the VHI to operate to the detriment of BUPA.

CRIMINALS throughout Europe will find it increasingly difficult to hide from their past as EU Justice Ministers have agreed to swap information between member states.

EUROPEAN companies that import, manufacturer or use chemicals will have to ensure they are safe.

THE Russian ambassador to the EU refused to give guarantees Irish beef would not be banned under a threatened embargo on European meat exports to Russia in January.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern held firm on the Government’s refusal to hold an independent investigation into CIA-operated flights landing in Ireland and suspected of being involved in illegal rendition.

IRELAND has been told to make real reductions in carbon dioxide emissions at home rather than trying to buy its way out of our commitments.

THE country’s drinks industry and the Minister for Finance is looking forward to a prosperous Christmas after the European Court of Justice threw out a case suggesting mail-order booze could be duty-free.

RUSSIA is threatening to ban Irish and other EU meat imports from January in the latest twist in a complex political game centred around energy.

TRAFFICKING of men, women and children for the sex trade or other exploitation is not a crime in Ireland — the only EU country where it is not illegal.