Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
209. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will undertake to individually visit the member states of the European Union, and meet with counterparts and parliamentarians in each, before the start of the Irish presidency of the European Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland 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 for the Presidency 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.
Upon taking up the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in November, one of my first engagements was with my European Union counterparts at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. At the December Foreign Affairs Council, I undertook a number of bilateral engagements with my counterparts from Spain, Lithuania and Finland. Along with welcoming President Zelenskyy to Ireland in December, in January I travelled to France to participate in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine with fellow Foreign Ministers.
As preparations for our upcoming EU Presidency continue, I look forward to visiting and engaging with my counterparts from across the European Union, both in multilateral fora and in dedicated bilateral engagements.
