An EU-funded research team led by Dr Ailbe Ó Manacháin of University College Cork has developed a system inspired by how leaves capture sunlight, using it to split water and produce green hydrogen. The technology remains at an early testing stage, but the research marks a step towards potentially producing renewable energy closer to homes and businesses.
Bí linn le haghaidh painéal plé faoin téarmeolaíocht Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach: obair an lae inniu, na dúshláin agus na riachtanais. Cuir do cheisteanna ar shaineolaithe ó na hinstitiúidí Eorpacha agus ón gCoiste Téarmaíochta! Beidh lón éadrom ar fáil ag deireadh an chruinnithe.
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Omya has breached EU competition rules. The Commission is investigating whether Omya may have abused a dominant position in the supply of calcium carbonates.
The European Commission has proposed to renew and reinforce the legal framework of the European Heritage Label. The scheme was adopted in 2011 aiming to offer a recognition awarded by the European Union to sites of exceptional symbolic value. The proposal aims to give the initiative new impetus, showcasing a living network of sites that together tell the story of Europe giving greater recognition to the cultural experiences that these sites offer.
The European Union and the Western Balkan partners have endorsed a joint declaration to step up cooperation in research and innovation, reaffirming their shared commitment to the region's path towards EU membership. The partnership is already producing results. The Western Balkan partners have secured around €237 million under Horizon Europe across more than 1,000 projects involving the region.
The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to gather input on developments related to the rule of law in the Member States as part of the preparation for the 2027 Rule of Law Report. The consultation is open to judicial associations, civil society, NGOs, international organisations, EU agencies and other interested parties, and open until 4 December 2026.
The European Commission is releasing €22.5 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, in addition to the €87.5 million previously allocated for 2026, to address the consequences of the renewed conflict escalation and the critical needs of millions of people.
For 25 years, European countries have been joining forces to save lives when disasters strike under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. From firefighters battling wildfires and rescue teams responding to floods, to medical supplies delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens repatriated from crisis areas, generators sent to Ukraine, and search dogs looking for survivors after earthquakes, the Mechanism has turned European solidarity into concrete actions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa held talks with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Tô Lâm in Brussels on 22 October. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security and global challenges, and welcomed the momentum in EU–Viet Nam relations.
The European Commission Representation in Ireland launched today Go Circular Goes to School, a new programme bringing practical circular economy education to young people across Ireland. The initiative will support schools piloting the new Leaving Certificate subject, Climate Action and Sustainable Development. More than 30 schools across Ireland will also benefit from free workshops delivered by the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy.
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on a targeted amendment to strengthen the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) of the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, launched the Bio-based Europe Alliance at the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Dublin. Announced in the EU's Bioeconomy Strategy, the Alliance is a voluntary initiative, which brings together European companies who want to accelerate the use of European bio-based solutions. To date, over 100 stakeholders have joined the initiative.
The European Commission welcomed the political agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council of the EU on the review of the EU Securitisation Framework. The agreed measures aim to support securitisation activity in the EU while safeguarding financial stability.
Following a dialogue with the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Danone have committed to change recycling claims advertised on their plastic bottles. As soon as they have all made the necessary changes, consumers can rely on fair and clear information about the recycling characteristics of the bottles, in line with the requirements of EU consumer law.
The Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland appeared before the Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee alongside representatives of European Movement Ireland, Conradh na Gaeilge and the European Parliament Liaison Office to discuss increasing Irish representation in the EU institutions. The discussion highlighted the importance of language skills, outreach to schools and universities, and cooperation between EU institutions and Irish organisations.
Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maroš Šefčovič will be in Dublin this week for the informal meeting of EU trade ministers, hosted under Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. He will join a panel on CETA opportunities, chaired by Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Helen McEntee, and a strategic dialogue on life sciences and competitiveness with Minister McEntee and several EU trade ministers.
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath is in Dublin on 22 October to deliver a youth dialogue to engage directly with young people on issues they face. Commissioner McGrath will also take part in an EU-Ireland dialogue on SME competitiveness hosted by ACCA, which brings together policymakers and business leaders to discuss investment in education and training.
This High-Level Roundtable is taking place at The Alex Hotel, Dublin, as an Associated Event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. It comes at a critical juncture to reposition food security and nutrition as vital enablers of global stability and human development ahead of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations. It will bring together senior decision-makers from EU institutions, UN agencies, EU Member States and civil society.
The European Commission welcomes the agreement between the European Parliament and the Council to amend certain production, labelling and certification rules, as well as rules on trade with non-EU countries, in the organic sector. These revised rules will help consumers make more informed choices about imported organic products.
The European Commission has published three calls for proposals under the Creative Europe programme to support professional journalism and media pluralism, strengthen media resilience and promote media literacy. All three calls will open for applications on 22 October and are part of wider EU support for the news media sector.
