Read our latest publication, The European Union, and how it works.

This user-friendly briefing aims to support understanding and engagement with the EU on the issues affecting communities in Ireland. The briefing includes key facts about the European Union, including:

-A summary of the roles, powers and procedures of the three main EU institutions involved in decision making – the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of European Union

-Information about the 14 Irish MEPs, their Political Groupings and Committee Membership

-The sources of EU law and how laws are made in the EU

-The difference between Regulations, Directives, Decisions and Recommendations

Read our latest publication, The European Union, and how it works.

This briefing is funded with support from the Communicating Europe Initiative and the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of the ‘Building connections for a more social and inclusive Europe’ project. This publication was used as part of a series workshops held in each of the three European Parliament Constituencies in Ireland, called ‘How does the European Parliament address social issues?’.