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. We also work closely with the European Parliament and with the European Commission. You can find out more about who we are and what we do on our Councils page.  

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.
       

Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2013. This is the seventh occasion on which Ireland has held the Presidency and it occurs on the fortieth anniversary of Ireland’s accession to the Union.

The official Presidency website, www.eu2013.ie, provides the latest news, information, features and videos related to Ireland’s Presidency and will keep visitors up to date on the key priorities, policy areas and meetings.

Key Documents:

• Irish Presidency Programme
• Irish Perm Rep Presidency Staff Contacts (PDF 511kb)
• Irish Presidency Calendar (PDF 97kb) (14 December 2012)