Overview
Capital: Dublin
Official EU language(s): Irish, English
EU Member State: since 1 January 1973
Currency: euro (€)
Euro area: member since 1 January 1999
Schengen: Ireland has negotiated an opt-out from Schengen area
Figures:
- Geographical size: 69 947 km2
- Population: 5 343 805 (2024)
(Source: Eurostat - figures for geographical size and population)
Political system
Ireland is a parliamentary republic consisting of 26 counties. The prime minister (Taoiseach) who is the head of government is appointed by the president after nomination by the Lower House (Dail) and exercises executive power. The president who is the head of state mostly has ceremonial powers.
The Parliament has 2 chambers (an Upper and Lower House).
Trade and economy
Ireland ranks second in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita with €79 300, well above the EU average (€37 600). It accounts for 3% of the EU's total GDP.
(Source: Eurostat - figures for GDP per capita and GDP)
(Source: Eurostat - figures for exports and imports)
There are 14 representatives from Ireland in the European Parliament. Find out who these Members of the European Parliament are and follow the activities of the European Parliament’s office in Ireland.
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Representatives from the Irish government attend Council meetings focused on their area of responsibility several times year.
The Council of the EU does not have a permanent, single-person president (like 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 the different policy areas, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Irish presidencies:
Jan-Jun 1975 | Jul-Dec 1979 | Jul-Dec 1984 | Jan-Jun 1990 | Jul-Dec 1996 | Jan-Jun 2004 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Jul-Dec 2026
The European Commissioner nominated by Ireland is Michael McGrath who is responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation". Find out more about the Commission's representation in Ireland.
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 different countries.
Ireland has 9 representatives on the European 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.
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 heard and pursued as much as possible in the EU.
Budgets and funding
How does Ireland benefit from the EU budget?
The EU budget is the tool to ensure that Europe remains a democratic, peaceful, prosperous and competitive force. The EU uses it to finance its priorities and big projects that most individual EU countries could not finance on their own.
The benefits of EU membership significantly exceed the size of the EU budget contributions and the examples are many. All Member States benefit from being part of the Single Market, a shared approach to the common challenges of migration, terrorism and climate change, and concrete gains like better transport infrastructure, modernised and digitalised public services and cutting-edge medical treatment.
How much each EU country pays into the EU budget is calculated fairly. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa.
The EU budget is not about giving and taking – it’s about collectively contributing to making Europe and the world a better place for us all.
EU budget spending and revenue per country and per year
EU-funded projects in Ireland
Money from the EU budget helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries – for example to build roads, subsidise researchers and protect the environment.
Find out more about how Ireland benefits from EU funding and recovery funds in your country or region.