Hungary U21 2 Ireland U21 1

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching the UEFA U21 Championships play-offs ended after a frustrating loss to Hungary in Kecskemet today.

The European Union and Hungary brought their fight over democratic rights fully into the open today with the EU Commission launching legal challenges against the former Soviet-bloc country many fear may be slipping back toward authoritarianism.

The Republic of Ireland Women's U-17 side went top of their group after defeating Canada 1-0 last night in the FIFA World Cup.

VIAGRA and hair straighteners were among the main items confiscated as customs officials more than doubled the amount of counterfeit goods they seized last year.

EU countries must co-operate if they want to stop tax revenues disappearing to tax havens, the European Commission has warned.

FINANCIAL services is now more likely to be included in plans for an EU-wide common base for calculating corporation tax, given the current economic crisis, according to European Commission sources.

IRISH smokers could soon find their regular consignment of cheap cigarettes from holiday destinations will dry up following proposals to dramatically increase the tax on tobacco throughout the EU.

VAT rates could be lowered on a whole range of services and goods from hairdressing to construction to restaurants under proposals from the European Commission.

THE European Union is considering proposals to introduce VAT to certain consumer goods in Ireland, including children’s shoes and clothes.

EU internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy will break ranks with his fellow EU Commissioners today when they discuss introducing common rules for calculating company tax across the EU.

PLANS to harmonise the way corporate tax is calculated across the EU will undermine the Irish economy, Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan has warned.

TO VAT or not to VAT nappies is exercising the minds of the European Commission.

The European Commission today dropped a lawsuit against Britain for violating EU rules by seizing and taxing cheaper alcohol and tobacco products bought by travellers in other EU countries.

BANKS, insurance companies and fund managers would be allowed reclaim VAT under proposals from the European Commission.

MOTORISTS received good and bad news yesterday - costly Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is to be phased out, but it will be replaced by another charge.

A COMPLETE harmonisation of corporation tax rates across Europe will not happen, the EU Taxation and Customs Commissioner said yesterday.

Costly car registration tax is to be phased out over the next decade in a bid to ensure a true EU single market for vehicles, it was revealed today.

There are no plans to harmonise corporate tax rates across the EU, according to the European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs.

IRELAND will lose competitiveness to other EU member states if it continues to resist adopting a common tax base, the European Taxation Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs warned.

A RANGE of measures to harmonise tax system elements throughout the European Union has been put forward by Taxation Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs.

AT least one-in-every 20 goods on sale is a fake according to the latest figures from the European Union. The counterfeiters have never been as busy, having decided to swap quality for quantity.

Ann Cahill

Political leaders at the European Parliament declared victory today and said they would give their backing to the new executive under Jose Manuel Barroso after the incoming EC chief presented his reshuffled team.

Ministers in the Cabinet of newly elected Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany were set to be sworn in today as part of his push to raise living standards and apply “truly Social Democratic” values to Hungary.

Moving to end a political crisis with its government coalition partner, Hungary’s Socialist Party has announced that Prime Minister Medgyessy is no longer head of the government and that it plans to nominate his replacement next week.

European Jewish leaders today said anti-Semitism was on the rise and called on the European Union and national governments to take action against it.