Ireland’s new leader flew to Brussels for his first overseas trip since his appointment as Taoiseach, meeting Ursula von der Leyen just days after he took office. The Commission President said she was glad to count on Ireland in what she described as the European Union’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine and for the EU’s efforts to “help restore stability in the Middle East”. She said she was also glad to see that Simon Harris is “so committed to Europe’s future competitiveness", writes Political Editor Nick Powell.