The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for European Affairs today unveiled the winning logo for Ireland’s EU Presidency in the first half of 2013. The winning logo was chosen by the public in an online poll which received more than 14,000 votes from 30 Nov to 31 Dec.
Speaking after the launch to MerrionStreet.ie, the Taoiseach said:
"Ireland’s EU Presidency will provide us with an opportunity to once again demonstrate our ability to manage the agenda of the EU and to deliver a first class Presidency. For the first six months of 2013 we will be at the helm of the coordinated business of 27 Member States making key decisions on issues that affect the lives of all its citizens. This is a unique opportunity for us to accentuate positive perceptions about our Country as a small, vibrant, open and innovative State and a committed member of the European Union.
I am delighted that the public were given the opportunity to select the winning logo design which will feature prominently at all events and meetings throughout the six month period of our leadership of the EU. I am also pleased to welcome today 27 young children from Mary, Mother of Hope Senior National School in Clonee, Dublin 15 to represent the 27 Member States of the EU.Joining the Taoiseach at the event, the Tánaiste said:
"The Presidency will bring thousands of delegates and visitors to Ireland in 2012, giving us the opportunity to showcase the country to a wide audience.
The Presidency will also provide an occasion for us to reflect on our four decades of EU membership and I believe it is an opportune time for us to have a national debate on how we see our future in Europe."
Also at the launch, Minister Creighton outlined some of promotional opportunities that the Presidency can create:
"I am delighted that we now have a logo which forms an integral part of part of the development of a visual identity for Ireland’s Presidency. Work is underway on the development of the promotional aspects of the Presidency and securing the long-term benefits that can be accrued from getting this right. The Presidency will bring thousands of delegates and visitors to Ireland in 2013 and we have an opportunity to highlight the elements that make Ireland unique, including our rich cultural heritage.
The Presidency also offers us the opportunity to reflect on our membership of the Union over the past four decades and I would like to see a national debate throughout the Country on how we see our future in Europe."
Ireland will assume Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first six months of 2013.
Red Dog Design Company was commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to design the four logos for the public poll. The poll was launched on 30 November 2011 and closed on 31 December. The poll was publicised on the Twitter accounts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (@dfatpressoffice) and the Irish Government News Service (@merrionstreet) and reached a wide online voting public through tweets and retweets by followers.
The poll results are as follows:
Spirals 5,250
Logotype 4,149
Wave 3,035
Connections 1,917
Total 14,351
The children who attended today’s poll launch are all from the Mary, Mother of Hope Senior National School in Clonee, Dublin 15