Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2026. This is a major national responsibility, placing Ireland at the centre of European decision-making at a time of profound transformation in climate, energy, environment, the circular economy and marine affairs.
My Department will lead Ireland's Presidency agenda across these sectors. To strengthen national capacity and ensure Ireland delivers a successful, ambitious and credible Presidency, my Department is establishing the Presidency Policy and Legal Expert Placement Programme. Details of the Programme, including numbers the Department intends to hire are available at the following link: Call for expressions of interest – Climate, Energy and Environment EU Presidency Placement Programme (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/call-for-expressions-of-interest-dcee-climate-energy-environment-and-marine-affairs-presidency-placement-programme/)
This Programme is not confined to accountancy and corporate law firms and successful applicants will be subject to well-established practices and procedures to guard against potential conflicts of interest, such as signing of Official Secrets commitments etc. where required. Successful applicants will not be involved in decision making on policy, nor will they be responsible for negotiating positions for or on behalf of my Department and/or Government.
