Ambassador's Welcome Address

Dear friends,

Welcome to the website of the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU. We hope it provides you with an informative overview of Ireland’s engagement with the EU and a helpful insight into the work of the Permanent Representation. I am honoured to join my team of colleagues here as Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the EU.

I am conscious that I am taking over the post of Permanent Representative at a moment of profound crisis as the Covid 19 virus spreads around the globe. My first priority will be to present the Government’s position in the coordinated EU effort to combat the virus, including joint procurement of much needed medical equipment, research into a vaccine, dealing with the devastating economic impact and the immediate effort of repatriating citizens stranded abroad.

Ireland’s Representation to the EU is our largest overseas Mission and includes officials from all Government Departments. Collectively we support the Taoiseach and Government Ministers in promoting and defending Ireland’s interests and values across a very broad spectrum of issues such as climate, digital, migration, the continued development of the Eurozone, trade and competitiveness and, of course, the negotiation of the EU’s future relationship with the United Kingdom.

In our daily work we maintain close contacts with the other Member States, the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, particularly our Irish MEPs.

At the moment almost all of our staff are teleworking from home and strictly observing the measures such as social distancing necessary to defeat the virus. However, we are maintaining an effective support for the Government in the coordinated European response to overcoming the challenge.

Please look after yourselves and stay safe during this challenging period.

Sincerely,

Ambassador Thomas Hanney

Curriculum Vitae