The Taoiseach will attend an informal meeting of EU member state leaders in Cyprus which is set to be dominated by surging energy prices, the Middle East and Ukraine.

Cyprus currently holds the EU presidency, before Ireland takes up the six month role in July.

Much of the attention is due to yesterday's European Commission decision to relax EU state aid rules to help reduce the impact of surging costs on consumers and companies - potentially opening the door to future price controls, income support schemes and tax incentives.

Among other areas likely to be raised will be Russia's war in Ukraine, and the now un-stalled €90 billion EU aid package agreed this week, and which had previously been blocked by Hungary's now former leader Viktor Orbán.

Before travelling to Cyprus, Micheál Martin will also hold a bilateral meeting this morning in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kryiakos Mitsotakis, where he will highlight long-standing financial ties between both Ireland and Greece.