The Council of the European Union, known as ‘the Council’, represents the governments of EU countries and is composed of their ministers. Together with the European Parliament, it is the main decision-making body of the EU. It is one body but ministers meet in 10 groups, known as ‘Council configurations’, organised by policy areas, as listed below. The minister from the Member State holding the Presidency (which rotates every six months) chairs meetings of their Council configuration (except for Foreign Affairs).
Around 70 to 80 Council meetings take place every year. During Ireland’s Presidency of Council in 2026, there will be 22 meetings of the Council configurations in Ireland.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council coordinates EU policies on agriculture and food production, rural development, animal and plant health, and fisheries management. It also works on the common agricultural policy (CAP) and decides on the allocation of fishing opportunities.
AGRIFISH meets in two different compositions: Agriculture and Fisheries.
Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine participates in this Council.
The Competitiveness Council works to enhance competitiveness and increase growth in the EU. Its work focuses on the Single Market, industry (especially SMEs), consumer protection, technological research and innovation, the EU space sector and the digital economy.
COMPET meets in three different compositions: Internal Market and Industry, Space, and Research.
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science participate in this Council.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council works to create strong and resilient economies across the EU. Its work focuses on the coordination of economic policies, taxation, capital markets, banking, the euro and the EU Budget.
ECOFIN meets in two different compositions: Economic and Financial Affairs (economy and finance ministers), and Budget (ministers responsible for the EU Budget). Additionally, the Eurogroup (ministers of the euro area member states responsible for finance) meets once a month, on the eve of the ECOFIN meeting.
Simon Harris TD, Minister for Finance and Tánaiste participates in the Eurogroup and he and Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation participate in this Council.
The Environment Council is responsible for EU environment policy, including environmental protection, climate action, the sustainable use of resources and the protection of human health. Its work focuses on climate, the circular economy, pollution, and nature and biodiversity.
Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment participates in this Council.
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council works to improve living and working conditions and ensure a high level of health protection in the EU. Its work focuses on equality, labour rights, social policy and health.
EPSCO meets in three different compositions: Employment, Social Policy, and Health.
Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection, Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Peter Burke, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport participate in this Council.
The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council develops and promotes EU initiatives to enhance education and training, engage youth, support culture and creativity, and encourage sport. Its work focuses on education and training, media and culture, sport, and youth. However, its policy areas are largely the responsibility of the Member States.
EYCS meets in four different compositions: Education; Youth; Culture, Audiovisual and Media; and Sport.
Hildegard Naughton TD, Minister for Education and Youth and Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport participate in this Council.
The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) ensures the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the European Union's external action. It is responsible for the EU’s foreign policy, manages its diplomatic relations and establishes international partnerships. Its work focuses on security and defence, trade agreements, development, crisis response, sanctions, and human rights.
FAC meets in four different compositions: Foreign Affairs, Defence, Trade, and Development. Unlike the other Councils, FAC meetings are chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Kaja Kallas of Estonia, who is also Vice President of the European Commission.
Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence and Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora participate in this Council.
The General Affairs Council (GAC) is responsible for key cross-cutting EU policy areas and for preparations for European Council meetings (summits of the heads of state). Its work focuses on EU enlargement, the rule of law, the EU Budget (the multiannual financial framework, MFF), democracy and political participation, relations with the UK, and cohesion.
GAC meets in two different compositions: General Affairs and Cohesion.
Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs and at the Department of Defence participates in this Council.
The Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) is responsible for issues related to justice, internal security and migration. Its work focuses on border and visas, migration and asylum, fighting crime, cybersecurity, and fundamental and citizens’ rights.
JHA meets in two different compositions: Justice and Home Affairs.
Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration participates in this Council.
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) coordinates EU policies related to mobility, transport, digitalisation, telecommunication networks and energy. Its work focuses on AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, energy and transport.
TTE meets in three different compositions: Transport, Energy and Telecommunications.
Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Transport and Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport participate in this Council.
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