A new €2 EU Presidency commemorative coin has been launched to mark the first working week of Ireland’s term in the six-month role.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris formally launched the coin alongside Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf at an event at the bank’s Dublin headquarters this morning, reports RTE.
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, reports RTE.
“I hope it will serve as a reminder of Ireland’s contribution to the European Union and the important work undertaken during our presidency.”
The coin design features the Irish Presidency logo, said to symbolise growth, dynamism and movement, reports RTE.
The design encompasses five spirals consisting of 27 dots for the 27 member states.
Taken together, the spirals outline a star between them, evoking the stars that feature on the EU flag, reports RTE.
The Central Bank will mint 500,000 of the special €2 coins, which will be issued into general circulation from tomorrow.
People all over Ireland, and indeed Europe, will find the coin in their hands and pockets in the coming weeks, reports RTE.
The coin will also be included in a proof set that will go on sale from collectorcoins.ie in mid-July.
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, reports RTE.
These include a two-day meeting concluding today in Co Mayo involving Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary and his EU counterparts, and a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels later this week to 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, reports RTE.
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