German chancellor Angela Merkel did not rule out Ireland getting money back for bailing out its banks when she held a joint press conference with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in government buildings.

Parties of the left, including Sinn Féin, will be the largest single group in the next European Parliament, taking power from centre right parties that include Fine Gael, according to the latest poll.

THE new college of EU Commissioners is in danger of being rejected by the European Parliament over questions about the suitability of two candidates.

JOSE Manuel Barroso is poised to become just the second person to win a second term as European Commission president after a majority of MEPs voted for him.

A FORMER Polish prime minister was elected President of the European Parliament, the highest position in the European Union so far for a politician from eastern and central Europe.

The Socialist grouping in the European Parliament is calling on Charlie McCreevy to be removed as the EU's Internal Market Commissioner.

EU COMMISSIONER Charlie McCreevy stood his ground before the European Parliament yesterday and insisted he would not be frightened into keeping quiet about matters he felt strongly about.

AN unrepentant Tony Blair fought back against his critics and reiterated his demand for European Union reform when he addressed the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday.

Italian premier Berlusconi provoked uproar in the European Parliament today by telling a German critic that he should star as a Nazi concentration camp guard in a film.