The Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Brussels to attend his last European Council meeting before the Cabinet re-shuffle.
Leaders will discuss further sanctions on Russia and reconfirm support for Ukraine.
At the last European Council in October, outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi was given a long round of applause and a video presentation titled ‘Arrivederci Mario’ as he bowed out of his last Council summit.
It is unclear whether there will be a video tribute for Mr Martin after the working dinner tonight, as he attends his last meeting as Taoiseach.
In reality, it will be far from his last trip to Brussels - though he will now be relegated to those other meetings which happen around a summit between political party leaders who are not their country's leaders.
The Irish Tricolour and flag of the European Union are seen in Brussels, Belgium in October 2018. Picture by: ALEXANDROS MICHAILIDIS / Alamy Stock PhotoThe changeover of the job of Taoiseach with Leo Varadkar was pushed back two days to give him this swansong, one last appearance on the European stage before the Cabinet re-shuffle.
It is a busy agenda and like most recent summits the invasion of Ukraine dominates - with a focus on sanctions and supporting citizens there.
Ensuring future supply of energy is also high on the agenda, along with the EU's transatlantic relationship with the United States.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said: "We will be keeping pressure up on Russia - including through further sanctions - and discussing how to ensure that those responsible for the war are held to account for what they have unleashed and sustained.
"We will also have a strategic discussion of our relationship with the US, one of the EU’s most important global partners.
"Europe needs to ensure that our economy remains flexible and competitive in a challenging international context.
"We are at an inflection point in our digital and climate transition, but with the right strategic direction, the EU can continue to lead the way in creating resilient and sustainable solutions that benefit our citizens," he added.
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
