Open competition for lawyer-linguists has been published on EPSO Website for following positions: EPSO/AD/424/25 – CS – Czech-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – DA – Danish-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – ET – Estonian-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – FI – Finnish-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – FR – French-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – IT – Italian-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – LV – Latvian-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) EPSO/AD/424/25 – SV – Swedish-language lawyer-linguists (AD 7) Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Further details can be found on the EPSO website under the link below.

On Friday, IIEA will launch its second Pathways Paper, where Matt O’Neill, Climate Project Lead, will present the key themes from Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland’s Agricultural Climate Transition. The paper explores the relationship between farmers and food processors in relation to the climate transition within Agriculture. It draws on interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations, and trust-based barriers to transition within the agriculture sector. It draws upon interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations to transition within the wider supply chain. Following the short presentation, a panel will offer their responses and reflections to the paper’s key themes.

On 18 May 2025, Romania held a pivotal presidential runoff between George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and Nicușor Dan, the pro-European independent and mayor of Bucharest. This election followed the annulment of the 2024 vote due to allegations of foreign interference, leading to heightened political tension and public scrutiny. Simion’s first-round victory, securing approximately 41% of the vote, has raised concerns about Romania’s future alignment with the EU and NATO, given his nationalist rhetoric and scepticism towards European integration. In the run-off election on 18 May, Nicușor Dan won the election and is poised to take the Romanian presidency, on a platform emphasising democratic values, anti-corruption, and continued cooperation with Western partners. This IIEA webinar will explore the implications of the election outcome for Romania’s domestic political landscape, foreign policy, and role within the EU. The discussion will feature Professor Cristian Preda and Dr. Claudia Bădulescu and will be moderated by Dr. Barry Colfer.

In 2024, the EU imported a total of 119,900 tonnes of tea from non-EU countries, according to Eurostat. The top three trade partners were China with 24,400 tonnes (20% of total imports), India with 21,900 tonnes (18%), and Kenya with 21,000 tonnes (18%). Sri Lanka followed closely with 19,400 tonnes, making up 16% of total extra-EU tea imports. These four countries together accounted for nearly three-quarters of all tea imports into the EU, highlighting their key role in supplying one of Europe’s most consumed beverages.

In 2023, the EU had an average of 0.55 passenger cars per inhabitant, meaning there were around 550 cars for every 1,000 people. This marks a slight decline of 0.1 percentage points from 2022, according to Eurostat’s latest transport statistics. Motorisation rates often reflect broader economic patterns but can also be shaped by local factors like taxation. The highest rates in 2023 were recorded in Italian regions such as Valle d’Aosta (2,295 cars per 1,000 people) and Trento (1,521), while the lowest were in regions like Mayotte (83) and Berlin (340). Ireland recorded one of the slowest growth rates in car ownership across the EU over the last two decades, with an average annual increase of just 0.9% between 2003 and 2023. This places Ireland alongside the Netherlands, France, and Italy, all countries with low long-term growth in the number of cars per person. While some eastern and central European countries have seen strong increases in car ownership, Ireland’s slower pace may reflect a mix of public transport development, urban planning, and car usage trends that differ from other parts of the EU.

Provisional agenda is available at the link below.

Provisional agenda is available at the link below.

The European Union returns to Bord Bia Bloom 2025, Ireland’s largest gardening festival with a show garden dedicated to reuse of resources and repurposing of materials. The “Renewed Blooms” garden is designed by David Negus and sponsored by the European Commission in partnership with the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy. It is the start of European Commission’s “Go Circular” information campaign in Ireland aiming to encourage Irish people to reduce waste and reuse more resources. The garden challenges perspectives on waste, inspiring reuse and repurposing. Throughout the weekend, visitors will find a fresh perspective on sustainability in this outdoor space, featuring live demos from the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy at an on-site DIY workshop.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien celebrated European Maritime Day (EMD) in Cork on 21-23 May 2025. The EMD is the annual event during which Europe’s maritime community meet to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy. Organised by the European Commission, Cork City Council, and Ireland’s Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the event features inspirational speakers, thematic sessions, stakeholder workshops, an exhibition and many networking opportunities.

The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to 14 Member States for failing to notify their measures fully incorporating into national law Directive (EU) 2024/505 on the recognition of professional qualifications of nurses responsible for general care trained in Romania. The transposition deadline was 4 March 2025. The Directive introduces specific amendments to the Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these Member States, which now have two months to respond to complete their incorporation at national level and notify their measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

The European Commission has presented a Single Market Strategy to create a more simple, seamless and strong European home market. The Strategy sets out bold actions to reduce existing barriers holding back intra-EU trade and investments, helps SMEs to operate and scale up their activities, and alleviates businesses by boosting digitalisation. The Strategy calls on Member States to do their part in making the EU market the best choice for companies, workers and consumers. In today's world, marked by economic volatility and trade tensions, the EU market is the first driver of our competitiveness. The EU market has increased EU GDP by at least 3-4% and created 3.6 million jobs since its creation. Further completing the Single Market would double the already achieved gains.

EM Ireland is organising a series of thematic forums to facilitate engagement between Irish MEPs and CSO representatives. Particularly as the new European Parliament embeds, EMI believes it is an important period to strengthen connections between Irish MEPs and different civil society sectors. This forum will focus on the topics of employment rights; social inclusion; and living and working conditions, with representatives across the Irish sector invited for a roundtable discussion with MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

The European Commission announced an initial humanitarian pledge of over €2.3 billion for 2025 to address urgent global crises at the European Humanitarian Forum concluded today in Brussels. These include the humanitarian impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the humanitarian situation across the Middle East, particularly Gaza, and the escalating crisis in Sudan. The Forum took place against the backdrop of record humanitarian needs, driven by ongoing armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, and food insecurity. Over 305 million people around the world currently require urgent humanitarian assistance. In this challenging context, the EU and its Member States at the Forum pledged to boost humanitarian diplomacy, strengthen respect for International Humanitarian Law, and foster an integrated response to fragility.

The European Commission proposes to cut €400 million in annual administrative cost for companies, adding to the €8 billion already targeted through earlier simplification efforts. With a new category of small-mid caps, the measures will ease compliance obligations and thus free resources for growth and investment across the Single Market. The measures boost incentives for SMEs to scale up, digitise regulatory processes, reduce red tape, and support the Commission's goal to cut administrative costs by 25% overall and by 35% for SMEs by the end of this mandate.

The EU economy began 2025 on a somewhat stronger footing than anticipated. It is projected to keep growing at a modest rate this year, with growth expected to pick up in 2026, despite heightened global policy uncertainty and trade tensions. The Commission's Spring 2025 Economic Forecast projects real GDP to grow by 1.1% in 2025 in the EU and 0.9% in the euro area, broadly the same pace as recorded in 2024. In 2026, growth is expected to accelerate to 1.5% in the EU and 1.4% in the euro area. Headline inflation in the euro area is expected to slow down from 2.4% in 2024 to an average of 2.1% in 2025 and 1.7% in 2026. In the EU, inflation is set to follow similar dynamics from a slightly higher level in 2024, falling just below 2% in 2026.

The winner of the 2025 EU Prize for Literature was announced on Friday evening at the Book World Prague event, in Czechia, along with two special mentions. In all, 13 books were shortlisted for this annual celebration of emerging authors from 40 countries. The special mention went to Irish novelist Sheila Armstrong, for Falling Animals. This novel takes place by the sea, in Ireland, and starts with the discovery of a body on the beach. We follow events through a series of narrators, each adding their piece to the story narrated in a poetical style. Each of the two special mentions will receive €5,000 and funding for one translation. The primary goal of the European Union Prize for Literature is to celebrate and promote Europe’s rich and diverse contemporary literary scene by recognising emerging fiction writers from the EU and beyond. Engaging the 40 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme, the prize celebrates 40 outstanding new literary talents across a cycle of three years.

Despite the vital role played by civil society in our democracies, challenges such as budget cuts and accessing funding; changing priorities within EU institutions; increased scrutiny and shifting public perceptions; and democratic backsliding are contributing to a squeezing of civic space for those working to defend human rights and support at-risk groups. Reflecting on these challenges, a panel of speakers from civil society organisations will discuss their areas of work, their priorities for the future of the EU, and how EU values such as equality, democracy, solidarity and freedom are expressed through their activities.

Europe’s world of work is changing fast - shaped by AI, hybrid work models, new forms of work, and a renewed focus on job quality and flexibility. How can its social agenda respond to ensure competitiveness, fairness, and inclusion? This panel debate, jointly organised by the IIEA and Eurofound, also marks 50 years of Eurofound’s research supporting policies for a stronger social Europe. Drawing on insights from the IIEA and the latest Eurofound findings, this panel discussion will cover themes such as working conditions and job quality, telework, employment trends, AI in the workplace, and the rising cost of living and housing. Expert panellists will also consider how the EU can foster competitiveness, inclusion, social convergence, and other pressing issues in this era of rapid change.

Democracy is at the heart of the EU's and Member States' political foundations. Yet in an increasingly volatile global landscape— marked by the rise of authoritarianism, foreign interference, and disinformation— it cannot be taken for granted. The digital public sphere is particularly vulnerable to manipulation: recently, we have seen influencers being paid to promote certain political candidates and AI-generated fake news flooding social media platforms. In his address to the IIEA, Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, will speak about the European Commission's plans to protect European democracy, in particular, through the European Democracy Shield.

EURES Ireland, in cooperation with EURES Estonia, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands, will host Boost Your Career with EURES 2025 European Job Days focusing on opportunities in ICT and Business. The event starts at 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM CEST. This event is open to all jobseekers seeking roles in ICT and Business across Ireland, Estonia, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands. Additionally, it will explore the growing landscape of remote work within the EU. Jobseekers can now register for the event and apply for positions directly via the event’s website via the link below.