It's the former German defence minister's first official visit to the country since taking over the EU's top job.

Legislators across Europe have struggled to keep up with protecting minimum employment rights as ‘self-employed’ jobs proliferate, writes Kyran Fitzgerald

A Green MEP says older vehicles should be banned to improve air quality in Ireland.

Expected next European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said there are “strong reasons” to extend the October Brexit deadline just hours before a key MEP vote on whether she will be given the top job.

The highest European Parliament election turnout in 20 years saw voters reject rising populism in favour of an institution it trusts and understands, writes Daniel Gros.

The European Union phobia virus has spread through the Tory party via infectious members such as Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has strongly endorsed Business Minister Heather Humphrey's criticism of Maria Bailey over her 'swing-gate' personal injuries case.

Independent Clare Daly has insisted she will fight for a seat in Dublin amid suggestions a row over transfers in the European elections could go to the courts.

A Sinn Féin MEP candidate has warned the party will be in "trouble" at the next general election unless it learns lessons "very, very quickly" from its local and European elections slump.

Ciarán Cuffe’s was on the verge of a landmark win for the Green Party in the European elections in Dublin last night after topping the poll on the first count.

Fine Gael MEP candidate Maria Walsh has backed fellow Mayo woman Greens candidate Saoirse McHugh to make a huge impact in Irish politics, saying she is a "phenomenal person".

The first elected councillor in Dublin City has pledged to press for better housing and cycle facilities after topping the poll and becoming the country's first Irish-Chinese local representative.

As ballot papers expand to the size of phonebooks, is it now time to reassess the political nomination process?

Growing, stabilising, or stagnating?

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has insisted it was not a mistake for the party to run two candidates in some MEP constituencies amid poll fears the tactic may see the party lose out on a seat.

Clare Daly believes that the EU is a neo-liberal body protecting big business — her bid for Europe intends to change all that. Juno McEnroe follows her on the campaign trail in Inchicore.

Post-election legal action, drinking with Nigel Farage, a brother involved in anti-Government protests, EU broadband funding demands — oh, and the little matter of the Ireland South MEP race. Fiachra Ó Cionnaith meets Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly.

Fine Gael has banned a second party candidate from taking part in the Irish Examiner European election debate in Cork amid fears that their involvement could damage sitting MEP Deirdre Clune’s re-election chances.

BILLY “One Seat” Kelleher: that rather disparaging description of the long-standing TD and favourite MEP candidate, by his party colleague Malcolm Byrne over a perceived breach of an agreed boundary has generated much hilarity this week.

Outspoken Independents, a celebrity candidate, and a risk that the result could cause a snap general election mean the sprawling Midlands-North West is set for high drama, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

The textbook image of the strong farmer, battling all weathers and all tasks, is not the reality, said Mairead McGuinness, MEP, at last week’s Embrace FARM Resilient Farmer conference.

Norwegian Air flights from Cork and Shannon to the US east coast are now unlikely to return for the entire summer schedule, an MEP has claimed, as the firm admitted it is unlikely to return to profitability this year.

MEP candidate Mick Wallace says he has no money as he is only allowed €250 a week under his bankruptcy deal but will be “debt free” next year.

The latest figures to confirm they will seek an MEP seat were Independents Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, who will run in Ireland South and Dublin.

Theresa May is facing British politicians after the EU offered the UK a six-month Brexit delay, pushing the withdrawal date to Halloween.

After a chaotic 48 hours and more than a little political ducking and diving, next week’s looming Brexit cliff edge has been pushed back — much to the relief of people who are in the direct firing line if it all goes wrong.

After a chaotic 48 hours and more than a little political ducking and diving, next week's looming Brexit cliff edge has been pushed back - much to the relief of people who are in the direct firing line if it all goes wrong.

Ireland and Britain have been dragged back from the Brexit brink after EU leaders agreed to delay the divorce deadline at least until April 12.

Two senior Fianna Fáil TDs have said they have "no doubt" the party's hierarchy will consider running Billy Kelleher in the imminent European elections despite his failure to be selected by grassroots members.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has sought to play down a growing rift with his Enterprise spokesman Billy Kelleher over his intention to run for Europe.

Brian Hayes believes the country could pay a price for EU support on the backstop.

Ex-Fianna Fáil minister and MEP election candidate Conor Lenihan has rejected claims that his close Russian business ties risk making him Ireland’s answer to Donald Trump, saying he has nothing to “hide” over his post-Dáil work.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has insisted he is not trying to block any of his front-line TDs from running in the European elections amid a flurry of rumours over the future of his most experienced colleagues.

The predictable decision by MEP Brian Crowley not to stand again to be an MEP brings down the curtain on one of the most successful politicians this country has ever seen, writes Daniel McConnell.

MEP Brian Crowley has been urged to resign after four years of absence from the European parliament because of the “damage” to Ireland’s interests and because of the UK’s imminent exit from the EU.

Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley’s controversial hold on his European seat is set to come under intense scrutiny this evening when a party colleague formally challenges him for the role.

Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley’s controversial hold on his European seat is set to come under intense scrutiny this evening when a party colleague formally challenges him for the role.

An Irish MEP has expressed concern that a vote taking place in the European Parliament later, could have significant implications for Irish Road Hauliers.

There have been renewed calls for Ireland South MEP Brian Crowley to resign or clarify his position after not voting once in the European Parliament since his re-election four years ago.

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has refused to apologise for the manner in which he allegedly criticised the lack of Fine Gael MEPs at a meeting of sexual abuse survivors in Brussels last week.

An electronic immunisation record system is required to help EU member states enhance their cross-border cooperation and simultaneously enhance prevention of infectious diseases, according to Brian Hayes MEP.

Brexit will more radically change Ireland's relationship with the UK than the 1916 Easter Rising and partition, an MEP said.

The winning exhibitors in the main championships at the 2017 Tullamore Show & AIB National Livestock Show were as follows.

A number of Fianna Fáil TDs have hit out at “insensitive and inappropriate” complaints about Ireland South MEP’s Brian Crowley‘s non-attendance at EU meetings.