Irish Presidency of EU Council

On January 1, 2013, Ireland began its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. Irish Presidency for the seventh time coincides with the 40th anniversary of its membership of the European Union. Some issues on the Irish Presidency’s agenda include the following: Finalizing agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework that will determine the EU budget from 2014–2020. Also, policy issues of direct national importance to Ireland including reform Horizon 2020, the EU’s future framework programme for research and innovation.