European Commission calls on Ireland and 9 other Member States to transpose the amended Directive on Intelligent Transport Systems
The European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Belgium (INFR(2026)0010), Czechia (INFR(2026)0033), Ireland (INFR(2026)0080), Greece (INFR(2026)0054), Croatia (INFR(2026)0074), Cyprus (INFR(2026)0025), Luxembourg (INFR(2026)0090), Malta (INFR(2026)0102), Poland (INFR(2026)0116) and Slovenia (INFR(2026)0142) for failing to fully transpose into national law, by 21 December 2025, Directive (EU) 2023/2661, amending Directive 2010/40/EU on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) play an important role in achieving efficient and safe, sustainable and automated, interconnected and resilient transport system in the EU. The amended Directive aims to respond to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps, and connected and automated mobility. The amended Directive also aims to ensure that ITS applications enable the seamless integration of road transport with other modes of transport, for example with rail, to improve their efficiency and accessibility.
In January 2026, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 20 Member States for not having complied with their transposition obligations. As half of those Member States have notified by now their respective transposition measures, the Commission is sending a reasoned opinion only to Belgium, Czechia, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, and Slovenia which now have two months to respond and take the necessary measures to comply with their obligations.
In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union with requests to impose financial penalties.
European Commission approves €2 million Irish State aid for horticulture companies facing increased fuel prices
The European Commission has approved a €2 million Irish State aid scheme for horticulture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The scheme, which will run until 31 December 2026, aims to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices on companies active in the primary production of agricultural products, in particular growers of fruit and vegetable crops using heated horticultural structures. The aid will take the form of direct grants and will cover the additional fuel costs resulting from the Middle East crisis incurred between 1 March and 31 December 2026.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural products. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Irish scheme under EU State aid rules.