Proposals for an arbitration system in the EU-US trade deal under negotiation have been well received by most EU countries including Ireland, Germany and France.

The European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom has said Ireland will not be flooded by hormone-treated beef thanks to strict import conditions under the new US trade deal with Europe.

The EU made public yesterday confidential papers being used to negotiate a free trade deal with the United States, an unprecedented step to deflect criticism from anti-globalisation campaigners that Brussels is drawing up the world’s largest trade deal in secret.

A European Commission report looks at corruption in EU member states. Unsurprisingly Ireland faces particular scrutiny, writes European Correspondent Ann Cahill .

Gun crime is reaching alarming proportions throughout the EU with weapons used not just to kill and maim more than 1,000 people a year, but to intimidate victims of trafficking and robbery.

Criminals gangs in Europe target various EU states to hide much of their €135bn yearly haul, handing it over to relatives or investing it in legitimate businesses.

BRIBERY and corruption are costing taxpayers €120 billion a year and pushing up the price of public works by as much as 25%, according to the European Commission.

EU member states that do not protect their external borders effectively against illegal migrants could find themselves temporarily cut off from the Union under proposals from the European Commission.

TOUGHER penalties and greater co-operation between EU member states to tackle child sexual abuse and trafficking in human beings have been proposed by the European Commission.

SWEDEN has adapted its neutrality to post cold-war conditions, the Swedish foreign minister said, and it was keen to ensure Ireland’s Lisbon treaty guarantees did not impact on its policies.

Cecilia Malmström MEP and co-founder of the www.oneseat.eu campaign, has welcomed the 500,000 signatures the website has attracted after just four weeks.