As the business of politics begins following a week of pomp and ceremony that launched Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Government is set to be faced with tough decisions on key elements of Irish foreign policy over the next six months.

Rather than concealing contradictions between expounding our value-based approach abroad while failing to take bold action at home on a range of issues, the presidency risks revealing the vulnerabilities of the State, from agriculture to trade agreements and the robustness of our defence forces.

It should be asked whether the presidency, which politicians are touting as important for Irish internationalism, is going to be a value-added experience or an exposure of the hypocrisies lurking beneath Ireland’s shiny new role.

From Foxford to Cork, Irish representatives are hoisting EU flags, shaking hands with a farrago of EU officials and reciting the rehearsed rhetoric reflecting Ireland’s policy pillars for the presidency: competitiveness, security and values.

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Through a co-ordinated press campaign, politicians and policymakers have honed a chorus about the importance of hosting our eighth presidency. Ireland’s main role will be to act as an honest broker, helping to forge a consensus on the EU budget, which is expected to tilt away from the familiar fonds of Cap (Common Agricultural Policy) and cohesion........

© The Irish Times