The EU Information Hub

What does the European Parliament do?

The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU Institution, and what is decided in the Parliament over the next five years will have a direct impact on our lives.

In June 2024, EU citizens elected 720 members (MEPs) in total to represent them at the European Parliament until 2029, with 14 MEPs coming from Ireland.

Our MEPs decide with national governments on two key things: laws in some areas e.g., the single market, and how the EU budget is spent, e.g., spend on agriculture.

MEPs also assess the work of the European Commission and keep track of how EU laws are implemented in EU Member States.

Furthermore, MEPs represent EU citizens on major international issues like climate change, human rights, global trade, economic development, and our place in the world – these are all issues where we need our voices to be heard.

Read more about Members of the European Parliament:

Who are Ireland's MEPs?

Dublin

Barry Andrews

Renew Europe Group

Fianna Fáil

Lynn Boylan

The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL

Sinn Féin

Regina Doherty

European People’s Party

Fine Gael

Aodhán O'Riordáin

Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

Labour Party

Midlands-North-West

Nina Carberry

European People’s Party

Fine Gael

Barry Cowen

Renew Europe Group

Fianna Fáil

Luke Ming Flanagan

The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL

Independent

Ciaran Mullooly

Renew Europe Group

Independent Ireland

Maria Walsh

European People’s Party

Fine Gael

South

Kathleen Funchion

The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL

Sinn Féin

Billy Kelleher

Renew Europe Group

Fianna Fáil

Seán Kelly

European People’s Party

Fine Gael

Michael McNamara

Renew Europe Group

Independent

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú

Renew Europe Group

Fianna Fáil

What are the groups in the European Parliament?

MEPs can be members of national political parties or can be independent.

While in the European Parliament, MEPs sit in EU-wide political groups or are Non-Inscrits (Non-attached).

The current European Parliament political groups are listed below with the corresponding member party from Ireland (if applicable).

No Irish political parties are currently official members of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)

Fine Gael are members of the European People’s Party (EPP)

The Green Party are members of the Greens–European Free Alliance

Sinn Féin and Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan are members of the Left Group.

Fianna Fáil, Independent MEP Michael McNamara and Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly are members of the Renew Europe Group.

No Irish political parties are currently official members of the Identity and Democracy (ID)

No Irish political parties are currently official members of Patriots for Europe (PfE).

Labour are members of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democracts (S&D)

MEPs that choose to not be part of a political grouping are considered Non-Inscrits (NI), meaning non-attached.

Read more about the political groups in the European Parliament:

EU Explainer Videos

Just the Facts

Disinformation Research

EM Ireland has embarked on an ongoing research project to explain the impact of disinformation on how people in Ireland discuss issues related to Europe online. 

Read our report >>

The EU Inside Track

Welcome to The EU Inside Track, a new briefing update from EM Ireland. We aim to bring you key developments from Brussels, Strasbourg and beyond in an accessible, digestible format. You can subscribe now for timely updates straight to your email inbox.

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Need Advice?

EM Ireland has a long-standing commitment to ensuring that the information ecosystem around Europe is healthy and supports clear and accurate conversations about the EU. As part of this commitment, we are keen to support journalists, researchers, students, and anyone who plays a role in how people in Ireland receive content around Europe.

The EU and its institutions can be complicated. Political developments in other Member States can have an unexpected impact. Some topics may have crucial nuances that may not be obvious.

In advance of the European Elections, our goal is to provide advice, fact-checking, and resources to anyone writing about the EU, to ensure that Irish discourse around Europe is accurate and trustworthy.

Whether you are a journalist, researcher, or author, and want advice, please get in touch with us via the contact form below.

Get In Touch Here

Have Your Say!

Public consultations are an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to give their opinions on EU policies and legislation as it develops.

Open Consultations

The European Oceans Pact

Organisation: European Commission

Deadline: 17 February 2025

 

Education and Public Engagement Strategy

Organisation: The Electoral Commission/ An Coimisiún Toghcháin

Deadline: 24 March 2025

 

Common fisheries policy – evaluation

Organisation: European Commission

Deadline: 21 April 2025

 

Published Initiatives

Organisation: European Commission

Deadline: Ongoing

Closed Consultations

Public consultation on the addresses of candidates on ballot papers

Organisation: An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission)

Deadline: 31 January 2025

 

Creative Europe programmes – evaluations

Organisation: European Commission

Deadline: 24 Sept 2024

EU Resources

The EU in Ireland:

European Commission Representation in Ireland

European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland 

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound)

Where to learn more:

European Union Website: Learn more about the history, institutions, and priorities of the EU.

Get the latest news from the European Council and the European Parliament.

Your Europe: get advice on your rights as an EU citizen.

EU Bookshop