Find out more about Ireland’s political system, economy and trade figures, its representation in the different EU institutions, and EU funding it receives.

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.

The EU is Ireland’s most important trading bloc, with 40% of exports going to fellow Member States. Being part of the EU gives Ireland a powerful global voice. Irish views and interests are reflected in the policies of the EU towards the rest of the world.

Ireland's membership of the European Union has greatly facilitated its transformation from an antiquated, agriculturally dependent economy to one largely driven by hi-tech industry and global exports.

Ireland’s membership of the European Union has had profound significance for all areas of Government. In many areas, national and EU policymaking are intertwined. EU membership has been central to the transformation of Ireland’s economy and society over the past forty years.

Ireland has held the Presidency on six previous occasions, including during pivotal moments in the EU’s history which still resonate today: 1975: Hosting the first European Council meeting in Dublin in March, and the establishment of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), designed to reduce the development gap between different ...

EU membership has helped Ireland transition from economic stagnation in the mid-20th century into a nation with a modern economy based on free trade, foreign investment and growth.

As an intriguing new exhibition shows, while some events from the early days of Ireland’s EU membershipfeelasiftheyhave come from the deep mists of time, others seem like they only happened yesterday.

May 6, 2022 · The European Economic Community (EEC) became the European Union (EU) in 1993 under the Maastricht Treaty (formally the Treaty on European Union). Ireland held a referendum on the Maastricht Treaty on 18 June 1992.

Ireland has been a member of the EU since 1973, and is part of the euro area. Irish citizens are also EU citizens. The EEA is an area of free trade and free movement of people made up of the member states of the EU, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.