Welcome from Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD.
Ireland’s eighth Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an opportunity to drive meaningful progress across Europe through partnership, ambition and action.
The Taoiseach has described our EU Presidency as one that will be defined by action. Across all areas of the Council’s work, we will focus our efforts on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, safeguarding the values that underpin our Union, and supporting the security and resilience of our citizens. These priorities are closely connected and mutually reinforcing, and I firmly believe that the Irish EU Presidency is well placed to advance the interests of the Union, in these key areas.
Our extensive programme of EU Presidency events will be spread across Ireland, reflecting a strong emphasis on ensuring that communities across the country are connected to the Irish EU Presidency, and providing our European partners an opportunity to experience the best that Ireland has to offer.
Public engagement will remain central to our approach throughout the Irish EU Presidency. In our preparations, I placed a strong emphasis on connecting with communities, young people, schools and stakeholders across the country, to encourage discussion about Europe and Ireland’s role within it. The ideas and perspectives shared through this engagement have helped shape an Irish EU Presidency that is outward-looking, citizen-focused and grounded in the concerns and ambitions of people across Ireland.
The EU Presidency County Pairings initiative will bring Irish Ambassadors in the EU and EU Member State Ambassadors in Ireland together to visit communities and engage the public on issues related to the European Union. I look forward to further outreach initiatives, across the country, during our EU Presidency term.
Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency will also mark an important milestone for the Irish language. As the first Irish EU Presidency since Irish became a full working language of the European Union in 2022, we are proud to promote its use throughout the EU Presidency programme – reflecting Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and growing enthusiasm for the language.
Our EU Presidency will be a major undertaking, and progressing our ambitious programme for the Council will be a central focus, for the work of the Government.
Ireland has a proud tradition of constructive and successful EU Presidencies, and we will work closely with Member States and the EU institutions, to deliver meaningful progress for the benefit of citizens across Europe. I am confident that Ireland will once again deliver an EU Presidency that works constructively, and effectively, for the betterment of Europe and our people.
As we prepare to assume this responsibility once again, we will do so in the spirit of ní neart go cur le chéile – recognising that Europe is strongest when we work together.
