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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - IRELAND

Ireland comprises five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The north-eastern part of the island is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.

Ireland has a long coastline. To the west is the northern Atlantic Ocean and to the south the Celtic Sea. To the east Ireland is separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea.

The most important sectors of Ireland’s economy in 2014 were industry (22.4 %), public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (17.5 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities (15.5 %).

Ireland’s main export partners are the US, the UK and Belgium, while its main import partners are the UK, the US and Germany.

Capital: Dublin

Geographical size: 69 797 km²

Population: 4 604 029 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 0.9 % (2014)

GDP: € 185.412 billion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Irish, English

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since 1 January 1973

Seats in the European Parliament: 11

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member? No, Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Area.

Presidency of the Council: Ireland has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1975 and 2013.

Ireland in the EU

European Parliament

There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Ireland. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Ireland

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Irish government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Irish presidencies:

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Ireland to the European Commission is Phil Hogan, who is responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Ireland

European Economic & Social Committee

Ireland has 9 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Ireland has 9 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Ireland also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Ireland's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Ireland contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Ireland's finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Ireland: € 1.563 billion
Total EU spending as % of Irish GNI: 0.98 %
Total Irish contribution to the EU budget: € 1.425 billion
Irish contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.89 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Ireland

The money paid into the EU budget by Ireland helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.