Overview   News

The share of women in management positions in Ireland rose from 34% in 2014 to just under 40% in 2024, an increase of almost 6 percentage points over the past decade, according to new Eurostat data. Across the EU, women accounted for 35.2% of managers in 2024, up from 32% in 2014. The largest increases were recorded in Luxembourg (+13.7 percentage points). In contrast, some Member States like Slovenia (-3.8 percentage points) registered decreases.

Agenda available via the link.

Agenda available via the link.

The European Commission Representation in Dublin has put in place a Dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for the provision of services for event organisation and management: advice, logistics and technical support. The contract notice is available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

The European Commission is seeking feedback on obstacles that private equity investors face when exiting their investments and possible ways to address these obstacles. The input will support the Commission's work under the Savings and Investments Union (SIU), in particular efforts to improve the access to finance for EU startups and scaleups.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for an International Alliance to reinforce and expand ocean monitoring and observation. The Alliance will support OceanEye, the European Ocean observation initiative, with the aim to enhance global ocean observation efforts and collaboration.

On 2 March, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin signed a package of agreements aiming to deepen and expand the EU-Switzerland relationship. The package establishes a modern framework for the EU and Switzerland, enabling frictionless access to a market of 460 million consumers in key sectors, delivering economic benefits to both sides.

In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa expressed concern over developments in Iran and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to regional security and stability. They underlined the need to ensure nuclear safety and avoid further escalation that could undermine the global non-proliferation regime. The leaders called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and respect international law.

The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland is hosting a Spring Talks discussion on Irish and European poetry in lesser-used languages. The event will feature readings and insights from Annemarie Ní Churreáin, an Irish poet writing in English and Irish, and Martín Veiga, Galician poet and translator, with Keith Payne (Irish poet and translator) as moderator and participant.

The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland is hosting a Spring Talks event featuring journalist and author Fintan O’Toole, who will discuss perspectives on Europe’s present challenges and future direction, drawing on his experience as one of Ireland’s leading public intellectuals. As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Presidency at a time of unprecedented global challenges, he will share his reflections on where it might all be leading.

The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland is hosting a Spring Talks discussion on Ireland and Austria’s approaches to neutrality. The event will explore how neutrality shapes security, defence and foreign policy in both countries, with insights from experts and policymakers.

Join this Spring Talks event at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin exploring how Europe can better protect children online. An expert panel will examine emerging risks, digital safety tools and the role of EU legislation like the Digital Services Act in safeguarding young people in the digital world.

The European Union has announced €63 million in humanitarian funding to support the most vulnerable communities across Somalia impacted by ongoing conflict and displacement in the country, as well as worsening drought and soaring food prices.

On 26 February, the European Commission presented a new agenda to prevent and counter terrorism, setting out the way forward to reinforce Europe’s collective response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats. The Commission also presented a proposal for a Directive to combat firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences in the EU, the first legislative initiative to be adopted under the European Internal Security Strategy.

The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and EU Member States on its proposal to strengthen the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, an EU solidarity instrument for workers who have lost their job due to major restructuring.

On 25 February, the European Commission and the United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement. The agreement sets a framework for cooperation on competition matters between the Commission and EU Member State competition authorities, and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. It is the first dedicated EU-UK agreement fully focused on competition cooperation following the withdrawal of the UK from the Union.

Women in Ireland received on average 31% less in pension income than men in 2024, according to new Eurostat figures. The largest gaps in the EU were recorded in Malta (40.3%), the Netherlands (36.3%) and Austria (35.6%). In contrast, the gap was smallest in Estonia (5.6%), followed by Slovakia (8.4%) and Hungary (9.6%). The EU average gap in average pension income stood at 25%.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the draft of a simpler and more streamlined General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). The GBER defines specific categories of State aid as compatible with EU rules, if they fulfil certain conditions, and exempts them from prior notification to and approval by the Commission.

The Commission decided that wrapping and straps used to secure goods on pallets during transport will not have to meet the EU’s 100% reuse requirement under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This approach reinforces the EU’s commitment to advancing a circular economy while acknowledging operational feasibility.

The European Commission has proposed to open negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to integrate them into the EU’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime. Once the agreements are finalised, people travelling between the EU and Western Balkans will be able to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data without roaming surcharges.