Ireland joined the European Communities, now the European Union, on 1 January 1973 alongside Denmark and the United Kingdom. Since then, EU membership has played an important role in Ireland’s economic and social development, while strengthening our bilateral relationships across Europe. Ireland is a committed and active member of the European Union, working closely with fellow Member States to promote cooperation, shared prosperity and common European values.
An outward-looking member state on Europe’s western edge
Ireland’s membership of the European Union has coincided with significant economic and social transformation, contributing to the country’s development as an open, modern and globally connected economy. Following a referendum in 1972, Ireland joined the European Communities with strong public support and has since played an active role in the development of European cooperation and policymaking.
As an island nation on the western edge of Europe with strong transatlantic and global connections, Ireland brings a distinctive perspective to the European Union. Ireland contributes across areas including trade, climate action, digital innovation, research, international partnerships and social cohesion, while also drawing on its experience of peacebuilding and reconciliation in supporting the EU’s wider role in promoting peace, stability, democracy and a rules-based international order.
Ireland first held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 1975 and has since held the role in 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2004 and 2013.
Key milestones
1973: Ireland joins the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union, on 1 January following a referendum in which strong public support was expressed for membership.
1975: Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Communities for the first time.
1979: Irish citizens participate in the first direct elections to the European Parliament.
1990: During Ireland’s fourth Presidency of the Council, agreement is reached on a common European approach to German reunification and relations with Central and Eastern Europe following the fall of the Iron Curtain.
1992: Irish voters approve the Maastricht Treaty, which establishes the European Union and lays the foundations for Economic and Monetary Union.
2002: Ireland adopts the euro as its national currency, joining the euro area alongside eleven other Member States.
2004: Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council during the EU’s largest enlargement, welcoming ten new Member States to the Union.
2007: Irish becomes an official and working language of the European Union, with temporary exemptions applying to some EU institutional processes.
2013: Ireland marks 40 years of EU membership while holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the seventh time.
2022: Temporary exemptions on the use of Irish in the EU Institutions comes to an end, giving Irish full equality with the EU’s other official and working languages.
2023: Ireland celebrates 50 years of EU membership with a nationwide EU50 Programme to reflect on the positive impact of its membership across all dimensions of Irish society.
2026: Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time.
Ireland in EU Institutions
European Parliament
The European Parliament is composed of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), directly elected by citizens across the 27 EU Member States to represent their interests in EU law-making.
Ireland is currently represented by 14 Members of the European Parliament for the 2024–2029 term. Irish MEPs sit across a number of the Parliament’s political groups, which are organised by political affiliation rather than nationality.
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union represents the governments of the Member States. Ministers from each EU country meet in different Council configurations depending on the policy area under discussion, including economic and financial affairs, environment, justice and home affairs, agriculture, competitiveness and transport.
Together with the European Parliament, the Council negotiates and adopts EU legislation, coordinates Member States’ policies in specific fields, adopts the EU budget, concludes international agreements and helps shape the EU’s foreign and security policy.
Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union operates under a rotating presidency, with each Member State holding the Presidency for a six-month period. From 1 July to 31 December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time.
During the Presidency, Irish ministers will chair Council meetings across different policy areas, help advance negotiations on EU legislation, and support cooperation between Member States and EU institutions. Ireland previously held the Presidency in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2004 and 2013.
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. It proposes legislation, upholds the EU treaties, oversees the implementation of EU law and policies, manages the EU budget and represents the Union internationally in a range of areas.
The Commission is composed of one Commissioner from each EU Member State, collectively known as the College of Commissioners. Each Commissioner is assigned responsibility for specific policy areas by the President of the European Commission.
Irish European Commissioners
Michael McGrath is the current European Commissioner from Ireland. Since 2024, he has served as Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.
Since joining the European Communities in 1973, Ireland has nominated the following European Commissioners:
Patrick Hillery – Social Affairs (1973–1977)
Richard Burke – Taxation, Consumer Affairs and Transport (1977–1981; 1982–1985)
Michael O’Kennedy – Personnel and Administration (1981–1982)
Ray MacSharry – Agriculture and Rural Development (1989–1993)
Pádraig Flynn – Social Affairs and Employment (1993–1999)
David Byrne – Health and Consumer Protection (1999–2004)
Charlie McCreevy – Internal Market and Services (2004–2010)
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn – Research, Innovation and Science (2010–2014)
Phil Hogan – Agriculture and Rural Development (2014–2019); Trade (2019–2020)
Mairead McGuinness – Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (2020–2024)
Michael McGrath – Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection (2024–present)
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union
Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, based in Brussels, acts as Ireland’s diplomatic mission to the EU. The Permanent Representation works closely with EU institutions and other Member States to promote and advance Ireland’s interests across all areas of EU policy.
Officials from across Government departments work within the Permanent Representation and represent Ireland in negotiations and discussions at Council working groups, committees and meetings across the EU institutions. The Permanent Representation also plays a central coordinating role during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has lead responsibility for Ireland’s relations with the European institutions and for coordinating Ireland’s EU policies across all areas of Government. This also included the preparations for Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency. This work is carried out in close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach.