Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
192. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider Kilkenny city as a host town for meetings of the Presidency of the European Union in 2026. [33341/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to bring some of the high-level meetings during Ireland's EU presidency to east Cork to ensure County Cork benefits from the profile the presidency brings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to give favourable consideration to Killarney as a suitable destination for the heads of states meetings and functions during Ireland’s EU Presidency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34205/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 201 and 205 together.
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. During the six-month Presidency, Ireland will be responsible for driving the EU policy agenda and advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives. Irish Ministers and officials will chair most meetings in the framework of the Council of Ministers, and will represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions, notably the European Parliament.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency, and indicates that the Government will seek to bring some of the high-level meetings of our Presidency to cities and counties across Ireland, ensuring the entire country benefits from the profile the Presidency brings.
Ireland will host a meeting of the European Political Community and an informal meeting of the European Council in Dublin during our Presidency term. We will also host a programme of up to 22 informal Ministerial meetings in Ireland. Several of these Ministerial meetings, as well as a range of high-level conferences and other significant Presidency events, are expected to be hosted in locations outside Dublin.
My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and other relevant Departments and agencies across Government to plan the range of meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. This planning work includes assessment of the suitability of a wide range of locations as possible venues for Presidency meetings and events, taking account of specific criteria.
Final decisions on the full list of Presidency meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland, and the locations for those events, will be made in the coming period.
