Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2025
102. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his Department will consult on shaping the agenda of Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50336/25]
View answer105. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which his Department will consult on shaping the agenda of Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50348/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 105 together.
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026, providing an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda.
Preparations are well underway across both policy and operational strands of planning, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with active participation from all Departments across Government.
Work is ongoing to develop the priorities and policy programme for Ireland's Presidency. This will be prepared against the backdrop of the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-29 and the range of initiatives proposed in the legislative work programme of the European Commission. This work will also be shaped by our own priorities in relation to the EU.
The evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the Danish and Cypriot Presidencies over the coming months will also have a bearing on the definition of specific priorities to be taken forward in 2026.
The Government is consulting with other EU Member States and stepping up engagement with the EU institutions as the process of programme development continues. This includes working with Ireland's Trio partners, Lithuania and Greece, to develop a Trio Presidency programme which ensures coherence in the work of the Council through the 18-month Trio period.
As a part of this process, my Department will organise a series of consultation meetings later this year with stakeholders from across civil society, trade unions, business and other interest groups. A written consultation process will also be launched in late 2025, to ensure all stakeholders and interested parties have the opportunity to have their say on the development of Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities and policy programme. Other Government Departments are also engaging in sector-specific Presidency consultations with stakeholder groups.
Ireland's priorities and policy programme for the Presidency will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
