Ireland’s “victory” of ensuring every country had its own commissioner could be scuppered in November when the new body is put together. Instead there could be super-commissioners, and not-so-super-commissioners clustered around them.

Air pollution at dangerous levels

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore warned that billions of euro worth of projects designed to create growth and jobs were in danger after members of the European Parliament snubbed a meeting to reach agreement on the EU’s budget.

Ireland has not done enough to tackle violence against women or female genital mutilation across the EU, according to Amnesty International.