President Michael D Higgins has warned economic decisions in the European Union could threaten democracy.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will today represent Ireland at a meeting of Europe’s four presidents to negotiate the EU budget.

Three important EU milestones for Ireland are being celebrated today.

European leaders negotiating the bloc’s budget must not lose sight of the project’s overarching purpose, argues Hans Zomer

European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton says Ireland is “close to being a success story that the EU needs it to be” and that it would attempt to lay the groundwork for a free trade agreement between Europe and the US when it takes over the union presidency in January.

MEPs rejected budget belt-tightening today and backed inflation-busting rises in EU spending for the next eight years.

WHEN does life end?

THE European Union’s drug and police agencies have launched a joint investigation into amphetamine-type ‘legal highs’ on sale in head shops and over the internet.

THERE is still huge uncertainty over whether guarantees regarding neutrality, abortion and taxation will be attached as protocols to the Lisbon treaty – a key demand of the Government for re-running the referendum.