Irish envoy outlines plans for Ireland's European Union presidency

As Ireland embarked on its six-month presidency of the European Union, Michael Collins, Ireland's ambassador to the U.S., outlined its priorities Thursday, Jan. 31 at a Newsmaker press conference at the National Press Club.

Ireland, as head of the Council of the European Union for the seventh time since joining the EU in 1973, will continue to work toward getting Europe's economy back on track as it implements new economic governance, Collins said.

The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is "firmly focused on helping achieve stability, jobs and growth for both itself and the EU as a whole," Collins said.

Collins noted that Ireland after several years of adversity turned around its economy. The Irish presidency, which began Jan. 1 and runs through June, is lead by "a recovery nation helping recovery in Europe."

New banking proposals and governance measures will create jobs and stimulate growth, he said.