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This content from the Department of Foreign Affairs has now moved to ireland.ie/eu. This page is no longer being updated.

Ireland in the EU

Ireland plays a central role in Europe. We help to shape the EU through our input into economic and social policies. We use our EU membership to make a valuable contribution to world affairs. And we promote and protect Ireland’s interests in the EU through the work of the Department of the Taoiseach, with the co-operation of this Department, its Embassies in Europe and the Permanent Mission to the EU in Brussels.

Our engagement with the EU

We work to keep Ireland at the heart of Europe by engaging with the EU through its various institutions.

EU Policy Overview

EU policies cover many different policy areas, and impact both Ireland and the wider world.

Common Policies

Most European Union (EU) policies, known as common policies, relate to internal issues that directly affect our everyday lives.

External Policies

The European Union plays an important role in international affairs through its external policies - diplomacy, trade, peacekeeping and development.

EU Institutions

There are a range of institutions that produce the EU’s policies and make sure they’re implemented across its member states.

EU Sanctions

Sanctions – also known, and referred, to as “restrictive measures” – are legally binding measures that can be taken against individuals, entities or countries.

Blue Star Programme

The aim of the Blue Star programme is to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union through a programme of tasks and projects on topics broadly related to the European Union.

Communicating Europe Initiative

The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues.

EU Jobs

Information on how to apply for a position,prepare for the various stages of the application process, who to contact with questions, how best to get in touch with them and more.

Oireachtas scrutiny of EU Legislation

Oireachtas Scrutiny, Guidelines for Departments in relation to the Scrutiny of EU Matters by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
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