His innovative views , energy and fluency in French won him -- and through him , Ireland -- a status in European affairs far exceeding the country 's size and ensured that the first Irish Presidency of the European Council in 1975 was a noted success . His innovative views , energy and fluency in French won him -- and through him , Ireland -- a status in European affairs far exceeding the countryâ s size and ensured that the first Irish Presidency of the European Council in 1975 was a noted success .