New €2 coin to mark Ireland's EU Presidency

A new €2 EU Presidency commemorative coin will be launched today to mark the first working week of Ireland's term in the six-month role.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris will formally launch the coin alongside Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf at an event at the bank's Dublin headquarters this morning.

Speaking before the launch of the coin, Mr Harris said: "This commemorative coin marks an important milestone for Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is a lasting reminder of Ireland’s role at the heart of Europe.

"Long after our presidency has concluded, this coin will continue to circulate across Europe.

"I hope it will serve as a reminder of Ireland’s contribution to the European Union and the important work undertaken during our presidency."

As part of the first working week of Ireland's six-month presidential term, a number of meetings will be held in Ireland and abroad.

These include a two-day meeting concluding today in Co Mayo involving Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary and his counterparts in other EU member states; and a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels later this week, which will be chaired by the Tánaiste.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will also give an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg tomorrow, during which he will outline Ireland's presidential priorities.