Peter Caddle
- Director, Free Speech Ireland
Brussels, Budapest, Dublin
Follower of EU Tech Policy insanity.
Alumni of @TheBurkeanIE / Trinity College Dublin.
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Articles by Peter Caddle
Macron Bails on Riot-Wrecked Paris for Middle East Tour
French President Emmanuel Macron has bailed on a riot-wrecked Paris in favour of beginning a three-day tour of the Middle East, news outlets in the country have confirmed. Macron had been expected to announce that he was abandoning the tour during a speech at 8 pm local time on Sunday, addressing the worsening street violence taking place across France.
EU Summit Descends into 'Chaos' Over Climate Rules
Brussels’ EU leaders’ summit on Thursday is reported to have descended into “chaos” over a building row regarding the bloc’s climate rules. The meeting, which was meant to focus mainly on the union’s upcoming seven-year budget, instead saw leaders spend hours bickering on whether to loosen or even abolish upcoming reforms to the EU emissions trading system.
Big EU Needed to 'Stand Against Washington'
A larger, more powerful European Union is now needed in order to stand “against” Washington, a leaked document belonging to Fine Gael’s EU parliamentary group claims. Members of the European People’s Party — of which Fine Gael is a member — have gathered for a closed-door strategy conference in Sicily this week to discuss plans on how to beat the bloc’s growing political Right.
EU Should Fund Budget Deficit by Fining Big Tech
The European Union should fund its planned budget deficit via fines levvied against big tech, France is set to argue this week. At an EU ministerial meeting in Paris on Wednesday, French government representative Benjamin Haddad is reportedly set to argue that the bloc should use a recent €4.6 billion fine levied against Google to help pad its budget.
Ireland Blasted by Brussels After Government Fumbles EU Budget
Ireland has been put under heavy criticism by Brussels following the government’s failure to put forward a respectable plan for the European Union’s future seven-year budget. Dublin has been tasked with leading the design of the bloc’s next Multiannual Financial Framework due to Ireland holding the current presidency of the European Council, which rotates between member states every six months.
EU Quietly Switching to Chinese AI as Local Offerings Fail
European governments and businesses appear to be quietly switching to Chinese-built artificial intelligence systems as locally made offerings fail to keep pace. Brussels has reportedly begun testing open-source Chinese models, with the bloc’s Joint Research Centre — responsible for in-house research at the European Commission — as well as the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), both said to be experimenting with the country’s models.
EU & France Funds Event Attacking US 'Disinformation'
The European Union and France have provided financial backing to an event this week attacking the United States government for spreading “disinformation” in other countries. Hosted by EU-funded NGO EU Disinfolab, the Disinfo 2026 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, contained several panels attacking the current US administration as being an active source of disinformation that needs to be countered by Europe.
Giant Naked Trump Statue Unveiled in European Parliament
A giant naked statue of US President Donald Trump has been put on display in the European Parliament in an attempt to mock the world leader. Titled ‘Orange Plague’, the piece depicts the American head of state riding naked on top of another man, his figure coated in what the artist claims is 23-karat gold.
Brussels to Beg Beijing to Curb Cheap Chinese Exports
Brussels is set to beg Chinese leadership in Beijing to reduce the country’s cheap exports to the European Union, multiple outlets have confirmed. European Commission trade tsar Maroš Šefčovič is set to travel to the Chinese capital on Thursday to meet China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao. Efforts will reportedly centre on avoiding a brewing trade war between the two powers, with Brussels struggling to find ways to protect Europe’s struggling businesses from ever cheaper Chinese equivalents.
Ireland and Brussels Push EU-wide Digital 'Chat Control'
Brussels, with the help of the Irish government, is working to introduce a new form of digital “chat control” across the European Union, leaked documents have shown. Closed-door negotiations were held in Brussels on September 29 on the introduction of mass scanning of private online messages across the bloc, with the meeting being spearheaded by Ireland’s European Council Presidency.
EU Plotting Blanket Tariffs Against Chinese Goods
The EU is plotting the implementation of a blanket tariff regime against a wide range of Chinese goods, reports from inside Brussels now claim. European Commissioners are said to be preparing a mechanism to allow the mass application of import restrictions on a wide range of goods from the East Asian country, with Eurocrats claiming the restrictions are needed to “rebalance” trade.
EU Gives Extra €710m for 'Displaced People' in Africa & Beyond
The European Union is to provide an extra €710 million to what it terms “displaced people” in Africa and beyond, Brussels has announced. Speaking at the United Nations in New York on September 26, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the additional funding was in part a response to harsh weather events in sub-Saharan Africa, something the bloc is attributing to “climate shocks”.
Brussels Abandons AI Ambitions as EU Eyes Global Regulation
Brussels appears to have abandoned the majority of its AI ambitions, with attention in the EU capital shifting to steering the global regulation of the technology instead. Senior Eurocrats have been hinting at the shift in policy over the last month, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen claiming during a keynote speech last week that developing cutting-edge AI systems did not really matter for the bloc, and that focus should be on regulation and industrial integration instead.
EU to Centralise Power with Von der Leyen in Budget Rework
The European Union is set to further centralise power with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as part of its forthcoming budget rework, outlets close to Brussels are now reporting. Budget cuts aimed at streamlining the bloc’s expenditure are reportedly expected to centre around entities beyond von der Leyen’s control, with much of the powers currently held by such offices to land in the hands of the German Commissioner.
EU to Force Mandatory Online ID Checks for All Social Media
The European Union has confirmed plans to force mandatory online ID checks for all social media users within the bloc. Brussels has confirmed it wants to mandate that all netizens residing in the bloc to verify their ages with each social media platform they use. Such restrictions will also extend to video games that contain online functionality, as well as to streaming services, online app stores and AI chatbots.
Brussels Failed to Tell EU Members that Canada is Joining Bloc
Officials in Brussels reportedly failed to tell the leaders of EU member states that Canada would be joining the political bloc as an “associate member”. Media outlets linked to Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission report that the chief Eurocrat failed to inform EU capitals of the move before announcing it during a public speech on September 16. “We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible,” von der Leyen said.
EU to Force Global AI 'Slowdown' in Coordination with US Tech
The European Union is to try and force a global AI “slowdown” in coordination with private US tech companies, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced. In a keynote address this week, the Eurocrat downplayed Europe’s failure to develop its own frontier artificial intelligence system, claiming instead that the EU instead should focus on implementing AI developed elsewhere into the continent’s economies.
Brussels Suggests Allowing Unlimited Canadian Migrants into EU
Brussels is suggesting the EU should allow an unlimited number of migrants from Canada to live and work in the bloc, insider reports have claimed. According to the Wall Street Journal, senior EU officials have been actively discussing the possibility of giving Canadians complete visa-free access to live and work in all 27 EU member states as part of efforts to tighten relations with the North American country.
Children Say They Will Circumvent Any State Social Media Ban
The majority of Irish children say they and their peers would circumvent a government social media ban if implemented, a survey has shown. A state-run report by Coimisiún na Meán say 67 per cent of child respondents claim that any attempts by the government to prohibit them from using social media would be ineffective, as “children would find a way to get around it”.
Irish Media Compares Trump with 'Jihadists Who Inspired 9/11'
Ireland’s paper of record has published an opinion piece directly comparing U.S. President Donald Trump to the “jihadists who inspired 9/11” ahead of the leader’s visit to the island this week.
EU Cites Climate Change to Justify €200mn Greenland Expansion
The European Union is to cite climate change as a major justification for a new €200mn Arctic expansion plan targeting Greenland. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce the new injection of cash during her ongoing visit to the region, which is being seen as a response to growing United States interest in purchasing it.
Ukraine Declares it Wants to Host Fifa World Cup
Ukraine wants to host the Fifa World Cup, the country’s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi has announced. The Kyiv government is reportedly examining a joint bid to host the competition alongside Poland, insisting that the country was aiming to bid for the “nearest open date” to stage the cup. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member? Sign in here
EU's Top Socialist VP to Push New Oil Climate Tax
The European Union’s most prominent socialist politician is to push for a new tax on oil to help fund the bloc’s climate policy. Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera — a member of Pedro Sánchez’s embattled Spanish Socialist Party — is pushing for a new tax on oil companies as a way of paying for Brussels’ climate campaign. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member?
German Government Reps Plot Purge of 'Far-Right' at EU Level
Representatives belonging to the parties of the current German federal government are plotting an EU-level influence purge of groups deemed “far-right”, Brussels outlets are now reporting. Two senior figures from the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) say they are pushing a plan to marginalise MEPs belonging to parties deemed too right-wing over fears such groups are gaining too much influence in the EU capital.
EU to Abandon Child Social Media Ban Over Legal Issues
The European Union is expected to abandon plans to ban social media for children due to various legal issues with the scheme, outlets in Brussels are now reporting. According to Commission-aligned outlet Politico, the body’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, will announce that the bloc will not implement her blanket ban for under-13s, and will instead opt for softer restrictions that could be bypassed with parental consent.
EU Could Launch Bottle Cap-Style Campaign Against Alcohol
The European Union could soon launch a bottle cap-style campaign against alcohol producers across the bloc as part of its revamped green agenda, industry players have warned. Tightening recycling obligations due to be implemented by 2030 will ban manufacturers from using manufacturing that produces more waste than strictly necessary.
Germany is Defined by Migrant Heritage, President Declares
Germany is a land of migrants, the country’s president has declared ahead of a crucial regional election. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a member of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), noted that as many as 42 per cent of school children in the country now have a migrant heritage. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member? Sign in here
CnaM Denies Censoring Viral Video on Mass Immigration in Ireland
Ireland’s online censor and media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has denied ordering the takedown of a viral video detailing mass immigration into Ireland, Gript can report. In a statement, CnaM rejected any suggestion that they were behind the removal of a video on YouTube investigating Ireland’s migrant crisis, which was made unavailable to Irish viewers last week.
EU to Aid State Cash Injections into Pro-Diversity Media
The European Union is set to aid the injection of government funds into media outlets considered to push an agenda friendly to “diversity”, draft legislation has shown. A revision of Brussels’ General Block Exemption Regulation, one of the main pieces of EU legislation governing state aid, is set to enable national governments to hand out more cash to certain media outlets as long as they support certain agenda items.
ECB Compares US AI Surge to 'Dot-Com Bubble'
The European Central Bank has compared the current US AI stock market rally to the dot-com bubble, predicting that a significant drop in American tech shares is on the horizon. Writing in a blog post, ECB analysts meanwhile insist that Europe could be spared the worst of any forthcoming crash, characterising the fact that they have failed to grow alongside their US equivalents as a sign they do not suffer from “overexuberance”.
EU Looks to control Ice Cream Makers as Critical Infrastructure
The European Union is looking to control ice cream makers across the continent as forms of “critical infrastructure” under new safety regulations, experts are warning. Producers of frozen treats are reportedly facing additional restrictions under Brussels’ ramped-up cybersecurity rules under the NIS2 directive. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member? Sign in here
French Court Kills Social Media Ban Citing Free Speech Concerns
France’s Constitutional Court has killed the country’s forthcoming social media ban for under-15s over concerns it could disproportionately harm the free speech of both minors and adults. In a ruling on August 14, the Paris court noted that the French government had failed to show that a complete ban on children accessing certain websites was proportionate considering the potential harms to their speech rights.
Small Businesses End EU Sales Over Green Shipping Rules
Numerous small businesses have announced they will no longer ship goods to the European Union following the implementation of new green shipping rules. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has been billed by the Commission as an attempt to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals employed in product packaging, thus helping the environment.
EU Must Push Tech Censorship Onto Global South
The European Union must push Brussels-style tech censorship onto the global south to protect its interests, former Commissioner Thierry Breton has said. Speaking in response to the recent migrant wave against Spain’s Ceuta exclave, the former official — who has been officially sanctioned by the United States government over his involvement in online censorship — argued that an extension of the EU Digital Services Act beyond the bloc’s borders is now needed.
EU Says Social Media Crackdown Needed to Curb Migrant Crisis
EU leaders are claiming that tighter controls on information spread via social media are needed in order to curb the bloc’s most recent migrant crisis in Ceuta. Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen claims to have met with big tech representatives over the weekend to discuss the issue, with Brussels linking the wave of migrants that hit the Spanish exclave of Ceuta to “misinformation” on social media.
Iceland Warns Brussels not to Meddle in EU Referendum
Iceland’s government has warned Brussels it must not interfere in the country’s forthcoming referendum on whether the country should try to join the European Union. The country’s current left-wing government — which is pushing for the island to join the EU — has nevertheless insisted that any attempts by the bloc to influence the vote would be unwelcome.
Government Declares War on 'Tradwives'
The Irish government has declared war against the “tradwife” lifestyle over so-called “patriarchy” concerns. A document published by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on Thursday denounced the movement as being “harmful” to both women and society as a whole. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member? Sign in here
Eurocrats Blame Ceuta Migrant Surge on 'Disinformation'
Eurocrats are blaming the recent illegal migrant surge in Spain’s exclave of Ceuta on “disinformation” and Russian propaganda. Magnus Brunner, the bloc’s internal affairs commissioner, said in a press conference on Tuesday that allegedly false claims about lax European border policies helped spark the surge in arrivals. Tens of thousands of migrants attempted to illegally cross into Spain during the crisis last week, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people.
Ireland Praises Sanchez Over Spanish Ceuta Migrant Surge
Ireland’s government has praised Spain’s Pedro Sánchez for the socialist leader’s handling of the recent migrant surge on Spain’s borders. Speaking on behalf of both the government and the European Council — of which Ireland currently serves as chair – Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan claimed that Sánchez’s response to the crisis was “swift”.
EU wants to be World's First 'AI Continent'
Europe wants to be the world’s first “AI continent”, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has insisted. The claim comes as the bloc announced it would be putting “up to €10 billion in EU and national funding” into a new “AI Gigafactories” project, which is set to build 7 data centres across European member states. This article is premium content Get unlimited access to Gript Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience Subscribe Already a member?
EU to Announce Child Social Media Ban in September
The European Union is to formally announce its intention to implement bans on children from accessing certain forms of social media in September, officials inside the bloc have confirmed. Hinted at earlier this month, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to declare the style and extent of the restrictions during her so-called “state of the union” address following Brussels’ summer recess.
Ireland Must Resist EU Tax Powergrab
Ireland must resist attempts by Brussels to assume more tax powers, the German chancellor is set to tell Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Friedrich Merz, the embattled leader of Germany’s Christian Democrat-led government, landed in Dublin on July 28 in an effort to petition Martin against implementing French-backed tax reforms desired by Eurocrats.
EU Vows Retaliation as Trump Probes Tech Censorship Rules
Brussels has vowed to retaliate against any attempts to punish its online censorship regime following President Donald Trump launching a probe into the bloc’s regulation of American tech firms. Senior officials in the European capital are claiming they could pull the bloc out of a recently agreed EU-US trade deal should the president’s probe into whether EU digital regulations are designed to penalise American firms result in the bloc being penalised.
Euro Notes Could Star EU Parliament, Commission Buildings
The next generation of Euro banknotes could star the European Commission building, the bloc’s central bank has confirmed. Proposed designs for the new series of bills put images of the Commission’s Brussels headquarters centre stage, along with the buildings of other EU institutions, such as the European Council and Parliament.
EU Fines Google Record $1bn as US Mulls Trade Reprisals
The European Union has fined Google a record-breaking $1 billion for alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act despite warnings from DC that such a move would risk reprisals. Brussels’ €890 million — consisting of two separate fines of €460 million and €430 million — is the largest cumulative penalty ever handed out under the DMA since its implementation in 2023.
Tag: extreme weather
EXTREME WEATHER 14 AUG 2025 Spain suffers third wildfire death, Greece beats back flames
EU Announces More AI Meetings as China and US Forge Ahead
The European Union has announced more meetings on artificial intelligence as both China and the United States forge ahead with developing the technology. Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, has confirmed he and his team are planning dedicated sit-downs on AI during the forthcoming summits in October, November and December. The meetings will be held under Ireland’s European Council presidency, though all of the summits are likely to happen in Brussels.
China Bristles as EU Hits AliExpress with Record DSA Fine
Outlets linked to the Chinese government appear to be bristling following an EU decision to fine AliExpress, a retail arm of the Hangzhou-based Alibaba group, with a record fine under the Digital Services Act. Brussels announced on July 20 that the company would be forced to pay €550 million over its alleged online sale of “counterfeit” and “dangerous” products, with the bloc claiming the company had not done enough to prevent such goods from being listed on its site.
UK to Scrap Digital ID Plans as Ireland Forges Ahead
The United Kingdom says it is going to scrap plans to introduce digital ID, the country’s revamped Labour government is now claiming. Andy Burnham — who is set to be officially appointed British prime minister today — is reportedly planning on axing the scheme over its excessive cost, with his office telling the BBC that the money would be better spent elsewhere.
EU Using Fines Against US Tech to Fund Bloc, Brussels Admits
The European Union is using its regular fines levied against American big tech to fund the bloc’s operations, officials inside Brussels have admitted. Eurocrats say that they are actively factoring in the income gathered via tech company fines into the bloc’s operational budget.
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