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Friday 1 December 2023 Dublin: -2°C

# European Parliament

This week
26th November 2023 - 1st December 2023
EU member states reach preliminary agreement on reducing industrial emissions
The deal would “reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information,” the European Council said.
October
October 2023
Delegation from the European Parliament arrives in Ireland to investigate the Mica scandal
MEPs from Spain, Estonia and Latvia will join a three-day mission to Donegal and Dublin.
The EU plan to increase the energy rating of all buildings could cost up to €1 trillion
A report by
Muiris O'Cearbhaill
The plan is trying to bring most of the buildings in Europe up to an A energy rating by 2050.
The EU wants to retrofit all buildings across the 27 member states by 2050
The plan has run into resistance among some EU members countries
'Old style reporting is gone': MEPs call for Oireachtas TV-style channel for EU Parliament
The content for a parliamentary TV channel is already produced by an in-house service in Brussels and Strasbourg, the MEPs said.
Fianna Fáil MEPs expect 'a big shift to the right' in the upcoming elections, pushing them out
A report by
Muiris O'Cearbhaill
Barry Andrews suggested the Renew group may be cut out of the next parliament majority.
Commissioner to be quizzed by MEPs on his 'solo run' to remove aid to Gaza
Oliver Várhelyi announced the bloc would be suspending aid to Palestinians on his own initiative.
Lack of urgency to tackle violence against women 'unacceptable', Frances Fitzgerald says
The Irish MEP said there has been a backlash against women’s rights in some EU countries.
'It's not just Ursula von der Leyen, it's broader than her': Irish MEPs on European politics failing
842 EU staff signed a letter accusing the commission of accelerating the legitimacy of war crimes in Gaza.
EU Parliament backs Middle East motion but it's not unanimous among Irish MEPs
Amendments to the motion are currently being voted on in the European Parliament.
This year
2023
Public asked to give views on which part of the country should get another MEP seat
Ireland is due to receive one additional seat for the next European election in June 2024, bringing its total to 14.
Ireland gains one additional seat for upcoming European Parliament elections
The European Parliament today voted to add 15 new seats to the European legislative body.
Why didn’t the Electoral Commission do anything about the European Parliament constituencies?
Currently Ireland has 13 MEPs, although this number is likely to increase to 14 ahead of the European elections next May.
EU countries green light disputed law to restore Europe's natural habitats
The 27 member states agreed on the draft law during a meeting of environment ministers in Luxembourg.
Countdown starts on EU election as MEPs race to finish new laws
A report by
Lauren Boland
One year out from voting, the pressure is on to get through legislation before MEPs’ focus starts to ‘wander’ back to their constituencies.
Rewilding row: Green minister warns of ‘horrible conservative scaremongering’ on EU nature law
Ossian Smyth said he was ‘not happy’ that Fine Gael’s EU party, the EPP had walked out of talks on the issue.
EU parliament tightens lobbying rules for ex-MEPs following bribery scandal
The reform comes following the alleged bribery of members said to have been paid to push the interests of Qatar and Morocco.
15 EU countries to take legal action over Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Ireland is one of the countries, and the European Parliament has also joined the suit.
Police raid European People's Party headquarters in Brussels
The party, of which Fine Gael is a member, confirmed the raid earlier today.
'America was built on genocide': Jon Stewart's chats with Mick Wallace and Clare Daly go live
Irish MEP Sean Kelly also features on the latest episode which has been released today.
MEPs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly speak to Jon Stewart in European Parliament
It’s understood they were interviewed about NATO involvement in the Ukraine war and what the Irish people think of the issue.
Mick Wallace: 'Mistake' not to declare financial interest as paid company advisor
Mick Wallace MEP also said that his claim that he owned three wine bars in Dublin was “inaccurate”.
EU approves 2035 ban on new fossil fuel car sales
The Irish Government plans to ban new fossil fuel car sales from 2030 onwards.
European Parliament president to address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas this afternoon
It’s expected that H.E. Roberta Metsola will thank Ireland for its response to the war in Ukraine.
EU Parliament chief moves to lift two MEPs' immunity amid corruption scandal
It comes after four suspects were arrested last month during a series of police raids in which at least €1.5 million in cash was seized.
Last year
2022
Greek MEP who is a suspect in EU corruption scandal refused release from custody
Eva Kaili has been held in custody since December 9, accused of corruption, membership of a criminal organisation and money laundering.
Greek MEP at centre of Qatar-linked corruption scandal faces key court ruling
Eva Kaili was arrested last week during a series of police raids across homes and offices in which at least €1.5 million in cash was seized.
Kerry man who helped migrants reach Greece faces prison sentence as trial begins next month
Seán Binder is facing felony charges related to his efforts to help migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
EU parliament sacks vice president amid Qatar corruption probe
The assembly’s MEPs voted 625 to one to strip Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili of her vice presidential role.
Explainer: What's been going on with the European Parliament arrests over Qatar?
Four people have been charged with “money laundering and corruption”.
'Brave' people of Ukraine win EU's top human rights prize
The Sakharov Prize is awarded every year to those fighting for human rights or democracy.
EU lawmakers impose single charger for all smartphones from 2024
The move will push Apple to replace its Lighting port on phones sold in the EU, with expectations that the change will ripple around the world.
Ireland remains 'hub' of tax avoidance, says Dutch MEP ahead of visit to Dublin
Tang will lead a delegation of MEPs to Dublin this week to speak with senior civil servants on Ireland’s tax regime.
The EU and You: What's working, not working and what we don't understand
In the final topic of our 18-month initiative, we shone a spotlight on the EU itself and our part in it. Turns out we had a lot to learn.
MEPs, assemble: Could Ireland's MEPs do more to influence Europe?
How do we punch above our weight on the European stage? Get into groupings, get specialised and stick around, writes CJ McKinney.
'A preposterous waste of money': Irish MEPs raise concerns over Strasbourg parliament sittings
Independent studies showed that a total of €109 million a year could be saved if all parliament activity was moved to Brussels.
WATCH: Open Newsroom - Ireland and the EU after 50 years together
Watch our webinar on how Ireland found itself at the heart of the EU 50 years ago – and how it’s working for us now.
The Big MEP Questionnaire: What do our Irish MEPs think of the EU?
The Good Information Project set each of our 13 MEPs five questions: here are their answers in full.
All 13 of our MEPs reveal their personal highs and lows of working within the European Parliament.
Frustrations include defence issues, pace of progress on climate, and feeling unheard by the Council and Commission.
Division among MEPs on whether the EU should have more power - or already has enough.
Priorities for next five years range from climate action to mental health to fostering EU businesses.
QUIZ: How much do you know about the EU and European Parliament?
How much do ‘EU’ know?
Open Newsroom Invitation: Ireland and The EU at 50 years
Join us at 1pm this Thursday to see how it started… and how it’s going.
The European Parliament has the second largest electorate in the world. How does it actually work?
Historically, the Parliament lacked legislative power – but the Lisbon Treaty aimed to fix that.