A chance to put our stamp on Europe

THE Irish EU presidency is a challenge and an opportunity for the country over the next six months and the fallout could last a long time after that.

It’s an opportunity to showcase the country to the 15,000 visitors who will come for EU meetings and for about 180 events and conferences.

It is also an opportunity to influence many of the issues important to the country and the EU and comes at a particularly pivotal time for both.