Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU                 

Our job is to represent Ireland's interests in the European Union. The Permanent Representation, or the Perm Rep as it is known, brings together under one roof civil servants from nearly every Irish Government Department, making it Ireland's biggest diplomatic mission abroad. 

Our main function is to promote and represent Ireland's interests in the Council of Ministers. The Council is at the core of the EU decision making.  You can find out more about who we are and what we do under each Council formation below:  

The Council of Ministers

• General Affairs Council (GAC) & Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)
• Economic & Financial Affairs
• Cooperation in the fields of Justice & Home Affairs
• Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumer Affairs
• Competitiveness
• Transport, Telecommunications & Energy
• Agriculture & Fisheries
• Environment
• Education, Youth, Culture

COREPER - Committee of Permanent Representatives

We also work closely with the European Parliament and with the European Commission 

Press Section handles media queries about Ireland in the EU

Institutions Section is responsible for a range of cross cutting issues including contact with the other institutions and the European Parliament in particular.

Revenue Customs Section  deals with strategic policy and technical matters relating to customs

In regards to the work of other sections, see under the various Council formations above.

For further information on the national Irish position on various EU policy issues you should refer to the websites of the relevant Government Departments, Offices and Agencies.

The contact details provided on this web site may not be used  for spam, etc.

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013.