The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) puts civil society at the heart of Ireland's EU Council Presidency

The EESC has been requested by the Irish government to work on several joint priorities including housing, competitiveness, digital regulation, tackling poverty, and the EU's approach to livestock, to ensure that the voices and expertise of civil society, employers and workers are heard in EU policy making during the Irish Council Presidency.

This joint work was launched as part of EESC's Extraordinary Bureau Meeting, which took place on 9-10 June at the Printworks, Dublin Castle. This marks the first time the EESC will have an Irish President during Ireland's EU Council Presidency.

The Taoiseach said: “The ability of governments, employers, trade unions and organised civil society to engage constructively with one another is fundamental to democratic stability and to effective policymaking. The EESC is a vital link between civil society and the European Institutions.

“The voice of civil society matters. It matters because Europe cannot succeed through institutions alone. It succeeds when citizens feel ownership of the European project – when workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, voluntary organisations and local communities all feel that they have a stake in shaping Europe’s future.”

Minister Byrne said: “Ireland’s EU Presidency will be centred on the core pillars of competitiveness, security and values. But underpinning all of those priorities must be meaningful engagement with citizens and civil society. Europe succeeds when people feel heard and represented. The work of the EESC remains central to that effort.

“The Committee gives voice to organised civil society across Europe. It ensures that workers, employers, community organisations, farmers, consumers, voluntary groups and many others are heard within European decision-making. The EESC’s role in promoting informed dialogue and consensus is of great value.”

EESC President Séamus Boland: "I am very pleased that these areas of joint engagement – from democratic participation and equality, to competitiveness, small businesses, housing and digital fairness – reflect a EU Council Presidency that seeks to combine economic ambition with a strong social and citizen-centred dimension. We particularly appreciate the emphasis placed on inclusive policymaking and democratic resilience, which are values closely aligned with the mission and work of the Committee."

The EESC will prepare eight Exploratory Opinions on behalf of the Irish EU Presidency: Promoting Democratic Participation and Civil Society in Communities, Equality and the Competitiveness Agenda, the EU Livestock Strategy, Inter-generational poverty, Simplification, the Single Market Strategy, the Digital Fairness Act, and affordable housing construction. These will contribute to policy discussions, formulation and the development of legislation during the Irish EU Council Presidency.