Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2013. This is the seventh occasion on which Ireland has held the Presidency and it occurs on the fortieth anniversary of Ireland’s accession to the Union.

The Irish Government presented its programme for the six months on 9 January to coincide with the official opening of the Irish Presidency. The programme, For stability, jobs and growth, has a strong focus on growth and jobs.

The Irish presidency of the Council is about securing stability and ensuring that it leads to jobs and growth.

The “core priorities” include banking union and strengthening financial regulation, coupled with improved economic co-ordination through the European Semester process.

In tandem with this, the Presidency will place a spotlight on youth unemployment.

Trade will be another priority and the Presidency will “work towards opening new markets, creating new opportunities for enterprise, leading to more jobs and growth”.

“We believe the EU must work more to respond to the common problems that we face. No time can be lost.”

Full information on the Irish Presidency can be found at: www.eu2013.ie