IRISH MEPs have criticised a German EU commissioner for suggesting “deficit sinners” such as Ireland should fly their flags at half-mast outside EU buildings as a warning to other nations.

AS Irish bond rates stayed close to record highs yesterday, the European Commission’s internal market commissioner said he was confident Ireland would overcome its current economic difficulties.

Europe's plans to re-invigorate the single market will be discussed today when the EU's internal markets commissioner visits Ireland.

The Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs will consider the EU Working Time Directive today, which limits the number of hours an employee can work to 48 a week.

THE Minister for Foreign Affairs has ruled out pushing for sanctions against Israel and also warned against Irish citizens joining up with any future Gaza-bound aid flotilla led by Israel’s enemies.

The Palestinian envoy to Ireland Dr Hikmat Ajjuri has called on the Government here to put pressure on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza.

A leading European economist says the likelihood of Ireland's going bankrupt has increased.

FIANNA Fáil has defended Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s absence from the party’s press conferences on Lisbon, insisting nothing should be read into it.

The Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has claimed that much of the Lisbon Treaty referendum debate has been taken up with manufactured controversies, conspiracies and misinformation.

CATHOLIC bishops have told their flock they are free to vote Yes to Lisbon without reserve and in good conscience.

A new report from the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs claims ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will enhance workers' rights and strengthen their entitlement to collective bargaining, including strike action.

A second rejection of the Lisbon Treaty will cost Ireland jobs, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.

The vice-president of the European Commission has insisted that the political will exists across the EU to grant the legal opt-outs being sought by the Government before a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

THE country’s political watchdog has been asked how €700,000 worth of referendum booklets given to Libertas may yet escape the law governing donations.

THE Taoiseach has strongly condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza — denouncing them as “disproportionate” and a hindrance to long-term peace in the region.

BRIAN COWEN’S bid to regain the political initiative on Lisbon was thrown into disarray last night as Fine Gael refused to co-operate with a new all-party commission.

A SUBMISSION arguing for greater compensation for salmon draft-net fishermen will be handed to EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg by Fine Gael’s John Deasy and party MEP Simon Coveney in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

AN ALGERIAN was arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of a Dublin man, who died 17 days after being found unconscious and with severe head injuries in the Canary Islands.

Members of the public will today direct a series of special debates on European policy taking place in the Dáil to mark Europe Day.

A POWERFUL backbench committee is to call for the appointment of a full Cabinet minister with responsibility for immigration and integration.

PROGRESSIVE Democrat chief whip Liz O’Donnell has labelled as “a joke” the Government’s failure to introduce legislation to regulate the charity sector.

A REPRESENTATIVE of the Spanish government has told Irish MEPs the investigation into the death of an Irish holidaymaker two years ago in Gran Canaria will be reopened.

FIANNA FÁIL TD Sean Haughey drew criticism from Islamic and refugee groups last night for suggesting the go-ahead for the accession of Turkey to the EU could lead to the “Islamisation of Europe”.

VICTIMS of violent crime will be entitled to much less compensation under controversial law changes due to be implemented shortly.