The Taoiseach Enda Kenny is in Brussels today for a special meeting of the European Council to discuss international developments in Ukraine, Iraq and Gaza.
The election of the next president of the European Council will also take place today, to replace Herman Van Rompuy.
The selection of the next EU Commissioners will also be discussed. Phil Hogan is being nominated as Agriculture Commissioner, despite opposition from Sinn Féin MEPs and Independents Nessa Childers and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Outgoing President Van Rompuy is meeting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko this morning.
He will take the opportunity to express the Council's growing concern at the worsening crisis in eastern Ukraine and its humanitarian impact on the civilian population.
Other issues on the agenda include events in Gaza and Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in west Africa.