Podcast: Inside Dublin Castle for Ireland's EU Presidency

Ireland has taken over the Presidency of the EU Council for the next six months and the occasion was marked with an official ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was joined by members of Government and other dignitaries, including President of the EU Council António Costa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also in attendance.

It is the eighth time Ireland has taken on the role since we joined the then-EEC in 1973.

Some 280 meetings are planned here during the period, with around three quarters in Dublin - including a gathering of EU and non-EU leaders, which will present the biggest diplomatic and security operation the State has ever seen.

During the ceremony, Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for its support in the ongoing war with Russia.

He also expressed hope that the EU would "open five more clusters" in his country's accession talks to the bloc.

On a special Behind the Story from Dublin Castle, Paul Cunningham is joined by Europe Editor Tony Connelly, Juliette Gash of our political staff and Europe Correspondent with The Irish Times Jack Power.

They break down the day events and discuss what the next six months could bring.

You can listen to Behind the Story on the RTÉ Radio Player.

You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.