The Central Bank of Ireland has launched a EUR 2 commemorative circulating coin to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The coin will circulate across the euro area, and 500,000 coins are due to enter circulation this week. In remarks accompanying the launch, Governor Gabriel Makhlouf said the Central Bank is supporting the Irish Presidency, including work with the Department of Finance on key legislative files. He pointed to priorities including deeper integration of the single market in goods, services and capital, a stronger and more liquid European Union capital market, an enabling framework for a digital euro, a better-functioning securitisation market, a competitive banking sector and stronger retail investment participation. The coin carries the official Presidency logo, with a spiral design drawing on Irish scientific and artistic references, 27 discs representing the European Union’s 27 member states, and a central five-point star reflecting the European Union flag.