Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
167. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs her plans for the Council of Europe during the EU Council presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/26]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union will provide us with an opportunity to further the fundamental values that we share with both the Council of Europe and the European Union – respect for Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy. The promotion of these shared values will be an element of one of the key cross-cutting priorities of our 2026 Presidency, and we will strive to ensure that they are reflected in the decisions and outcomes of relevant high-level political engagements held during our Presidency.
In line with our longstanding policy, Ireland will also work to ensure that negotiations on the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights are advanced during our Presidency. EU accession to the Convention will allow for greater cooperation between the two institutions and will strengthen the multilateral legal order that underpins human rights protections in Europe.
Ireland has welcomed the Council of Europe’s strong support for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression. During our Presidency, a key area of work for the EU will be securing peace based on justice for Ukraine. In this regard, Ireland will ensure that the EU continues to support the valuable work being done by the Council of Europe to secure accountability for Ukraine, including through the ongoing work on the establishment of a Claims Commission and a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine.
The Government has implemented a policy of heightened political engagement with the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the run-up to the Irish Presidency. Where possible and beneficial to our objectives, Ministers have availed of the time in Strasbourg to engage with the institutions of the Council of Europe. I expect that this practice will continue for the duration of our Presidency. Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe has traditionally participated in the meetings of the European Political Community, and I look forward to welcoming Secretary-General Berset to the EPC Summit that Ireland will host in November.
Our Permanent Representation in Strasbourg will also avail of the opportunity presented by our EU Presidency to promote Irish culture and heritage, as well as Ireland’s distinctive contribution to the furtherance of human rights, rule of law and democracy throughout our 75 years of membership of the Council of Europe.
