Ireland will set out its plan for the EU presidency in top-level talks in Dublin today.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, has said that brokering a deal on the promissory note will top the agenda during Ireland's Presidency of the EU.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore says Ireland's priorities for the European Council Presidency can be summed up in three words - stability, jobs and growth.

Mary Robinson is being backed as a candidate for the new role of President of the European Council.

Gordon Brown today acknowledged that Tony Blair is likely to face a stiff battle to become the first president of the European Union.

The Taoiseach has given his full backing to John Bruton’s bid to become the first ever President of the European Council.

Tony Blair would make an “excellent” first president of the European Council, Gordon Brown said today.

Green Party leader John Gormley has given his support to former Taoiseach John Bruton in his bid to become president of the European Council.

Europe’s leaders will struggle to display unity today on climate change, financial regulation – and Tony Blair.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is in Brussels today for the start of a two-day EU summit that is expected to be dominated by informal discussions on the new job of EU president.

Former Taoiseach John Bruton has put himself forward as a candidate for the new role of EU president that is due to be created by the Lisbon Treaty.

Normal business resumes for the Government today after a gruelling six months holding the European Union presidency.

EU leaders are expected to approve the appointment of Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso as the new president of the European Commission tonight.

The largest grouping within the European Parliament has reportedly vowed to block any attempt to elect the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, as the new president of the European Commission.

The French President, Jacques Chirac, is reported to have asked Bertie Ahern to take the job as president of the European Commission.

Efforts to agree a new commission president were adjourned after more than five hours early today, with no consensus in sight.

Ireland’s presidency of the European Union will reportedly cost the taxpayer a total of more than €60m.

One of the biggest meetings of the Irish EU Presidency takes place in Co Kildare today.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, has announced that Ireland will contribute to the 'African Mission In Burundi' peacekeeping force.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has called on the Government to use its influence while holding the EU Presidency to ensure that any decision by the EU Commission on the Ryanair Charleroi issue does not have any negative impact on low-fares air access to Ireland.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to meet Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar today in his role as president of the European Council.

Amnesty International is holding what it calls a "Die In" in Dublin today as part of its campaign for an international arms trade treaty.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, is in Georgia today for the inauguration of the country's president.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has defended the European evidence warrant, which allows EU states to exchange information on criminal records phone and bank details.

The Minister for the Environment has told a European Parliament Committee that "Clean Economics" is the central goal of the environmental programme during Ireland's Presidency of the EU.

EU foreign ministers are to hold informal talks next week on an EU constitution, foreign minister Brian Cowen, said today.

Charlie McCreevy is to chair the first meeting of the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of European Union (the EcoFin Council) in Brussels tomorrow.

Gardaí have removed eight people from the scene of demonstrations in Eyre Square in Galway.

Gardaí in Galway have mounted a major security operation ahead of a meeting of EU employment and social affairs ministers in the city later today.

Marine Minister Dermot Ahern has held a two-hour meeting with his Spanish counterpart in Madrid, where he has outlined the forthcoming fisheries programme of the Irish presidency.

The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has repeated his warning that a two-speed Europe is inevitable if agreement isn't reached on a European constitution.

The president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has welcomed Ireland’s programme for its six-month presidency of the EU, describing it as ambitious and full of ideas.

A deal as soon as possible on a European constitutional treaty is the Irish presidency’s top priority, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has outlined Ireland’s programme for the EU presidency in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to outline Ireland’s programme for the EU presidency in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

Socialist MEPs have called on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to make a serious effort to finalise an EU constitution during Ireland’s presidency of the union.

The European Commission will decide tomorrow whether to take EU governments to court for letting France and Germany break the rules running the single currency.

Amnesty International has called on the Government to ensure that human rights are high on the agenda during its six-month presidency of the European Union.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has held talks with Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath about the stalled Middle East peace process.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to travel to Germany this morning for talks with eastern European leaders and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The Government's commitment to progressing the Lisbon Agenda as a key priority during the Irish presidency of the EU has been welcomed by small businesses.

Animal rights campaigners have mounted demonstrations outside Irish Embassies throughout the world today in protest at the duration of live animals transports.

The Tánaiste Mary Harney has said her department will focus on promoting enterprise, competitiveness, research and development during Ireland’s presidency of the EU.

EU foreign policy envoy Javier Solana has called for stronger security co-operation among EU member states.