What is the EU?
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It was founded in 1951 by six countries and has since expanded and developed through treaties such as the Treaty of Rome (1957), which created a common market, Maastricht (1992), which created the EU, and Lisbon (2007). There are currently nine candidate countries and one potential candidate country for EU membership.
How does it work?
Everything that the EU does is based on treaties that contain rules for how the EU works. The main EU institutions involved in decision-making are:
- The European Council
- The European Commission
- The European Parliament
- The Council of the European Union.
Their work is augmented by the European Central Bank, the European Court of Auditors and the European Court of Justice.
Who does what?
Current President: António Costa (Portugal)
The European Council defines the EU’s priorities and political direction.
Its members are the heads of state or government of the 27 EU Member States, the European Council President and the President of the European Commission.
The European Council meets in Brussels for ‘EU summits’ at least four times a year. At these meetings it adopts ‘conclusions’, identifying issues of concern and actions to take.
Every five years, the European Council adopts a ‘strategic agenda’ outlining priority areas for longer-term action and focus. The current strategic agenda runs until 2029 and is based on the following three pillars: a free and democratic Europe, a strong and secure Europe, a prosperous and competitive Europe.
Current President: Ursula von der Leyen (Germany)
The European Commission is the EU’s civil service. It:
- Proposes new laws and policies
- Ensures that EU policies and laws are correctly applied across Member States
- Negotiates international agreements on behalf of the EU
- Manages the EU budget and allocates funding.
The Commission is led by a President and a team of commissioners (known as ‘the College of Commissioners’), one from each Member State, appointed every five years after the European Parliament elections. Ireland is represented by Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection. Key legislative and policy decisions made by the Commission need the approval of the Council and/or the Parliament.
Current President: Roberta Metsola (Malta)
The European Parliament represents the interests of the citizens of the EU. Together with the Council of the European Union, it is the main decision-making body of the EU. The Parliament:
- Has the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals presented by the Commission
- Decides on the EU budget
- Supervises the work of the Commission and other EU bodies
- Co-operates with national parliaments of EU countries to get their input.
The Parliament is composed of 720 MEPs elected by voters in all Member States in proportion to their population. Ireland has 14 MEPs. The MEPs sit in eight Parliamentary Groups, which are organised by political affiliation rather than nationality, or as independents. Elections are held every five years – the next election will take place in 2029.
The Council of the European Union (known as ‘the Council’) represents the governments of EU countries and is made up of their ministers. Its main role is in EU law-making. Together with the European Parliament, it is the main decision-making body of the EU. The Council:
- Negotiates and adopts EU laws based on proposals from the European Commission
- Adopts the EU budget
- Co-ordinates policies
- Concludes international agreements on behalf of the EU
- Develops the EU’s foreign and security policy.
The Council is one body but ministers meet in 10 groups, known as ‘Council configurations’, organised by policy areas. For example, finance ministers take part in the Economy and Financial Affairs Council. Around 70 to 80 Council meetings take place every year.
Every six months a different EU country holds the Presidency of the Council. It is responsible for driving the Council’s work forward and has priority areas of focus for its term. In 2026 the EU Presidency is held by Cyprus (January to June) and Ireland (July to December).
The European Central Bank (ECB) manages the euro. It aims to keep prices stable in the euro area.
The European Court of Auditors audits the EU’s finances and examines revenue and spending in every area of the EU’s work.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ensures that EU law is enforced and applied in the same way throughout the EU.
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