Taoiseach Enda Kenny is attending a meeting in Brussels this morning to discuss the trillion Euro European budget.

Discussions will centre around the 7-year budget ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday.

As Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the Council Mr. Kenny will be a key player in the high-level discussions today.

Last night French President Francois Hollande warned that the prospects were slim of clinching a deal this week.

Meanwhile the Tánaiste is chairing a meeting of the General Affairs Council also taking place in Brussels today.

At the General Affairs Council Eamon Gilmore will also focus discussion on the potential for trade in goods, services and investment.

Could lead to over 2 million new jobs

The government says ambitious trade agenda can lead in the medium-term to an overall increase of 2% in growth and the creation of over 2 million jobs across the EU.

It says that tapping into this growth potential is a priority for the Irish Presidency.

The Tánaiste will call for a discussion on the EU's post-Arab Spring relationship with its Southern Mediterranean neighbours, in light of the important moves towards democracy in the region.

The Tánaiste will also highlight the deteriorating situation in Syria.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Eamon Gilmore said agreeing on a budget was critical for providing certainty for Europe.