Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
266. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on preparations for Ireland’s preparations for the Presidency of the European Council in 2026; her priorities for the first half of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73559/25]
View answerIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.
Preparations are well underway, led by my Department, in close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with the active participation of all Departments across Government.
The priorities and policy programme for our EU Presidency are currently being developed, and will take into account the EU’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-29 and the legislative work programme of the European Commission, as well as the evolution of the Council's agenda over the coming months. They will also be shaped by our own priorities across an array of areas, including but far from limited to the protection of EU values at home and abroad, the enlargement of the Union, European security, and the competitiveness and simplification agenda, which covers a wide range of areas including housing and the delivery of infrastructure.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that stakeholder groups also have their voices heard as we prepare our Presidency priorities. A series of consultation meetings with stakeholders from across business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups has recently taken place. A call for written submissions on the development of Ireland’s policy priorities, hosted on gov.ie, closed on 12 December, with over 450 submissions received. This process will allow consideration to be given to a broad range of different policy issues, from diverse voices throughout Ireland, as our Presidency policy programme is developed.
The Government is also consulting with other EU Member States and stepping up engagement with the EU institutions as the process of programme development continues.
Our policy programme will be finalised and published in June 2026, shortly before the start of our Presidency term.
Work is also underway to prepare for more than 250 meetings to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. These will include a summit of the European Political Community, an informal meeting of the European Council, and up to 22 informal Ministerial meetings.
My Department and the Department of the Taoiseach are taking forward preparatory work, in coordination with other relevant Departments and agencies, on the practical arrangements for all summits and meetings that may be held in Ireland during our Presidency term. These will be further developed, both in logistical and policy terms, in the coming period, including following consultations in due course with European partners.
