It is a rotating six month term.
Ireland takes over the Presidency of the European Council this morning.
The rotating six month term will see hundreds of meetings of European Ministers and leaders here throughout the rest of the year.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has set out three main policy platforms for the Presidency – competitiveness, values and security.
Midlands MEP Ciaran Mullooly says the government has a big opportunity to secure support for people across a broad range of sectors: