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Tony Connelly

@tconnellyrte.bsky.social
16K followers 334 following 65 posts

Europe Editor RTE, Ireland’s public broadcaster Author Brexit & Ireland: the Dangers, the Opportunities, the Inside Story of the Irish Response

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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
4/ “We didn't see that today, but these discussions will continue.”
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
3/ “Given that the suspension of the association agreement needs unanimity, there was no support for this in the room, and the measures that we have already on the table that require [a] qualified majority will require states shifting their position.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
2/ “Some member states today proposed a full or partial suspension of the EU Association Agreement, as well as for restrictions on trade coming from settlements and others were expressing their opposition to such proposals,” she told a news conference in Luxembourg.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
NEW: The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said there was no unanimity at today’s meeting of foreign ministers for a full suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement.
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Teresa Ribera @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu · 13/04/2026
I warmly welcome Anthony Whelan as the new Director-General of DG COMP at the European Commission. Anthony brings deep experience in European policymaking and a strong understanding of how our rules serve citizens, innovation and fair markets. 1/5
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
rte.ie
Peace plan: Capitulation to Moscow or start of a process?
Fears amid peace plan that Donald Trump's dislike of Ukraine and admiration of Vladimir Putin now at a final reckoning, writes Tony Connelly.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
The EU Democracy Shield has been launched with a blizzard of proposals by Irish commissioner @EUCssrMcGrath. Will it make a difference in the campaign against electoral disinformation, particularly by Russia? Critics are divided. www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
rte.ie
EU Democracy Shield: the slings, arrows of disinformation
Officials say the Democracy Shield is designed to support frontline accession countries but also to galvanise European societies into recognising the threat posed to democracies, writes Tony Connelly.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
EU faces rethink on frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
Ukraine's survival depends hugely on Volodymyr Zelensky finding favour with US President Donald Trump, but such favour is an on-again, off-again mystery. However, EU leaders continue to rally behind t...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
www.rte.ie/news/middle-...
rte.ie
Crisis in Israel could shape country for generation
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
rte.ie
Leading Palestinian figure hails 'history being made'
A leading Palestinian figure has hailed the recognition of Palestine by a raft of countries as a historic day of jubilation for the Palestinian people.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
rte.ie
EU states told not to expect stable US trade relationship
EU member states have been warned not to expect a stable trade relationship with the US, especially on the issue of European pharmaceutical exports, even if both sides reach an agreement in principle ...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
www.rte.ie/news/2025/06...
rte.ie
Govt lobbying for strong EU fisheries and CAP funding
The Government is lobbying for strong CAP and fisheries funding in the next seven-year EU budget as well as policies prioritising energy, connectivity and the digital sector, according to a Government...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
The EU’s searing indictment of Israel in Gaza: now for the hard part www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
EU's indictment of Israel in Gaza: the hard work starts
The review into whether Israel is in violation of its obligations under its trade relations with the European Union, due to its conduct of the war in Gaza, was shrouded in secrecy and hobbled by last ...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
www.rte.ie/news/2025/06...
rte.ie
EU and US sanctions on Russia: Timing is everything
As G7 leaders converge on Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies this weekend, the prospect of decisively tougher sanctions on Russia will loom large.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
rte.ie
Harris urges tariff exemptions for key sectors
Tánaiste Simon Harris has urged the EU's trade commissioner to exempt sectors key to the Irish economy, such as aviation, medical, agrifood and the equine industry, from any retaliatory tariffs the EU...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
EU exploits Trump anti-science climate for medicines deal
The EU's sweeping new rules on the regulation of medicines has been one of the most bitterly contested pieces of legislation in recent times, with fierce lobbying by the pharma sector, writes Europe E...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
www.rte.ie/news/2025/06...
rte.ie
EU states adopt new controversial medicine regulations
EU member states have adopted a controversial set of new measures governing the regulation of medicines at European level, following two years of deadlock and "unprecedented" lobbying by the pharma se...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
EU-Israel deal: Why Dutch succeeded where Ireland failed
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief will instruct the EU's diplomatic arm to carry out a review of the EU-Israel agreement, a small step in relative terms. But why did the Dutch request succeed...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
Questions over power supply remain after Spanish blackout
With a huge blackout in the Iberian Peninsula yesterday that crippled transport networks, shut cash machines and switched off thousands of computers, RTÉ's Europe Correspondent Tony Connelly looks at ...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
EU defence: Paying the price of the Russian threat
Europe is embarking on a grand spending programme akin to the near trillion euro response to the Covid pandemic in the face of aggression from Russia and the increasing unreliability of the US under P...
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Ian Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
This is truly shameful. Even China and Iran abstained. The US has put itself in the company of some of the worst states in the world - Russia, Belarus, North Korea. Hungary showing its true colours as Russia's Trojan horse in the EU as well.
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Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
President of Finland Alexander Stubb speaking in Kyiv today: ▪️ It’s not Russia who decides on EU membership,its the European Union who does that ▪️ It’s not Russia that decides on NATO membership,it’s the alliance itself ▪️ It’s not Russia that decides on what Ukraine has by its border,when,where&how
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
rte.ie
Wording in EU statement may allow for OTB, Govt believes
Ireland has secured language in a key EU communique which the Government believes will support its handling of the Occupied Territories Bill and possibly ease the bill's potential conflict with EU law...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
Germany votes amid geopolitical upheaval
Germany goes to the polls tomorrow amid a period of unprecedented national and geopolitical upheaval.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
Trump, Putin and Ukraine: The great betrayal?
Europe's big fear has been that Donald Trump would return to the White House, cozy up to Vladimir Putin and throw Ukraine under a bus, writes RTÉ News Europe Editor Tony Connelly.
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MondoAB @mondoab.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Sagan was a prophet.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
UN chief praises Trump's 'robust diplomacy' over Gaza www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
rte.ie
UN chief praises Trump's 'robust diplomacy' over Gaza
The UN Secretary General has praised the contribution of US President Donald Trump for "robust diplomacy" in helping to bring about the Gaza ceasefire.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
In his address before his conversation with WEF ceo Borge Brande, Guterres said industry and financial institutions rowing back on climate commitments were on the wrong side of science and history. He made no mention of Trump pulling the US out of the Paris Climate accord
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
UN Sec Gen Guterres praises Trump for "robust diplomacy" in helping to bring about then Gaza ceasefire. "I feel that when we had the position of Israel still reluctant to [have] the ceasefire, just two days before it happened, and then all of a sudden, there was an acceptance"
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Intel's Irish facility 'critical' to European operations - executives www.rte.ie/news/busines...
rte.ie
Intel's Irish facility 'critical' to European operations
Senior Intel executives say the manufacturer's Irish facility will remain critical to its European operation for at least the next seven years, and should not be at risk as the company presses ahead w...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
The EU Israel meeting will finally take place at the end of February - the war in Gaza will be the first item on the agenda. www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
rte.ie
Gaza war to top agenda at long-awaited Israel-EU meeting
The Gaza war will be the first item on the agenda during a long-awaited and contentious meeting between Israel and the EU at the end of February, RTÉ News understands.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
www.rte.ie/news/2025/01... How the EU’s Digital Services Act has been caught in the crossfire between Elon Musk’s free speech warriors and EU leaders warning he is a danger to European democracy
rte.ie
Elon Musk, Europe and the battle for online truth
Having helped re-elect Donald Trump with a $250 million donation and generous boosting on his X platform, Elon Musk has turned his gaze to Europe, notably the UK and Germany.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has said the European Commission has strong powers available to act if this evening’s interview between Elon Musk and the head of the German far-right party AfD breaches EU law. www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
rte.ie
EU can act if Musk breaches law in AfD interview, McGrath
Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has said the European Commission has strong powers available to act if this evening's interview between Elon Musk and the head of the German far-right party A...
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UNITED24 Media @united24media.com · 25/12/2024
🔴 Trump’s Ukraine envoy Kellogg condemns Russia’s Christmas Day attack on Ukraine.
united24media.com
Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Kellogg Denounces Russia’s Christmas Day Assault on Ukraine
Keith Kellogg, special envoy for Donald Trump, condemned Russia's Christmas Day attack on Ukraine, reiterating US support for peace in the region.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
7/ “Given how long this war has waged, we're having daily reports of the killings of children and men and women, and Irish people are repulsed by that. That's basically the essence of the Irish response."
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
6/ “We all know across the European Street, not just in Ireland, there's been huge anger at the level of killing of innocent men, women and children in Gaza. What's happening in northern Gaza at the moment...is beyond any moral compass. It defies any explanation at this stage.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
5/ "Ireland stands by the approach it has taken, which has been motivated towards full accountability for what is happening in Gaza and for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. That applies to Hamas, Hezbollah and to the Israeli Government as well.”
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
4/ Mr Martin said the utilization of the ICJ or ICC, "where we have supported those courts, where there can be international accountability for war crimes in any part of the world, including in Gaza, should not be seen as a hostile act.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
3/ “We have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and a massive surge of humanitarian aid. Ireland’s decision - alongside Norway and Spain - to recognise the State of Palestine was “not a hostile act” and should not be seen as one.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
2/ Arriving in Brussels Martin said: “Any action that the Irish govt has taken in respect to the Middle Eastern issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated by anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Ireland's foreign minister Micheal Martin has rejected Israel's claim that Ireland has shown extreme hostility towards Israel, leading to the closure of the Israeli embassy to Ireland
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António Costa @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu · 01/12/2024
From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine. From day one of our mandate, we are reaffirming our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people. Proud to be in Kyiv with @kajakallas.bsky.social and Marta Kos.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 30/11/2024
"The conflicts of Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon all come together and overlap in Aleppo.” @yarotrof.bsky.social describes a turning point www.wsj.com/world/middle...
wsj.com
Setbacks for Russia, Iran and Hezbollah Turn Into a Catastrophe for Syria’s Assad
The loss of Aleppo to Islamist rebels represents a stunning defeat for the Syrian regime, highlighting its dependence on enfeebled allies.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
New European Commission takes hold in a polarised Europe www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
rte.ie
New European Commission takes hold in a polarised EU
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her new commission won a clear majority in Strasbourg on Wednesday but rarely has the political mood in the chamber felt so fractious, writes Ton...
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Ian Fraser @ianfraser.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
One of my favourite interviewers, Mishal Husain, is leaving the BBC after 26 years to go to @bloomberg.com, where she will be editor-at-large of its weekend edition and host a “multi-platform global interview show”. 🎙️
broadcastnow.co.uk
Mishal Husain swapping BBC for Bloomberg
Today presenter will host 'multi-platform global interview show'
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
He voted against...
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
SF: Lynn Boylan, Kathleen Funchion against Ind: Luke Ming Flanagan against Labour: Aodhan O'Riordain against
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Irish votes: FG Sean Kelly, Regina O'Doherty, Nina Carberry & Maria Walsh in favour.  FG Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher & Cynthia Ni Mhurchú in favour Ciaran Mullooly & Michael McNamara abstained.
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
NEW: the European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen's second term as European Commission president, and her new team of commissioners. 688 votes cast, 370 in favour, 282 against, 36 abstained
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Tony Connelly @tconnellyrte.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team www.rte.ie/news/2024/11...
rte.ie
McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team
Ireland's new EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has appointed an Irish woman working within the EU institutions to head up his new team on the eve of the new Commission being approved by the European Pa...
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