Ireland Takes Over EU Presidency

For the next six months, Ireland is at the centre of European decision-making as it holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time since 2013.   The Government says its priorities will be competitiveness, values and security, but it also inherits some of the biggest challenges facing Europe—from negotiating the EU's next long-term budget and the future of farm payments to trade tensions, defence, enlargement and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.  To discuss what Ireland's presidency means for the country and for County Clare, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley and Scariff-based Independent Ireland South MEP Michael McNamara. Photo (c) GoodLifeStudio from Getty Images Signature via Canva