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Inter-parliamentary work

The Oireachtas works with other parliamentary assemblies within Europe and beyond. Foreign parliamentarians regularly visit the Oireachtas to study policy issues and have discussions with their Irish counterparts, and Members of the Oireachtas travel to other parliaments too.

The Oireachtas also participates in European and international parliamentary assemblies. Ireland is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe.

The purpose of all of this work is to foster good working relationships, promote debate, create a greater understanding on issues of mutual concern and agree common positions where possible.

North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

Image: Northern Ireland Assembly

North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

The North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association (NSIPA) is a forum for discussions between Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas on issues of mutual interest and concern.

British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly

BIPA plenary in Jersey, May 2023

Image: Gary Grimshaw

British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly

The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) aims to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland for the benefit of the people they represent.

The Oireachtas and the EU

Image: iStock

The Oireachtas and the EU

The political interaction and relationship between the EU institutions and the Houses of the Oireachtas is handled mainly by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs.

The Oireachtas is represented to the EU institutions by the Oireachtas National Parliament Office in Brussels.

Belgium currently holds the presidency of the EU and information on priorities and events for the period can be found here.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

146th IPU Assembly, Manama, Bahrain, 2023. Image: IPU

Inter-Parliamentary Union

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the international organisation of parliaments. It is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Image: Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is a parliamentary assembly of members of parliament from the Council of Europe's 46 member states. Plenary sessions are held in Strasbourg four times a year.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Image: OSCE PA

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) provides a forum for parliamentary dialogue on security between the 57 OSCE member states.

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