Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his attendance at the SNE Return Conference at Iveagh House on 3 July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38050/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The annual Seconded National Experts (SNE) Return Conference was successfully held at Iveagh House on 3 July 2025. The conference was hosted and opened by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne T.D.

The conference, themed "Shaping Ireland's EU Leadership: From Brussels Experience to Dublin Priorities," brought together over 50 Irish Seconded National Experts and National Experts in Training (NEPTs) from across EU institutions with senior colleagues from Irish government departments and representatives from Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU.

The timing was particularly significant as Ireland prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency in July 2026. The event provided crucial knowledge exchange between those serving in Brussels and Dublin-based colleagues, ensuring frontline European experience directly informs Ireland's policy development and Presidency preparations.

The programme addressed key strategic priorities including Ireland's 2026 Presidency preparations, economic security and competitiveness challenges highlighted in the Draghi Report, and security and defence considerations. Interactive workshops facilitated structured feedback from SNEs on policy development, while career development discussions explored pathways for building EU expertise across the civil service.

This conference directly supports the Government's May 2021 EU Careers Strategy, which aims to significantly strengthen Irish participation in EU institutions. Our SNE programme represents a strategic investment in Ireland's European influence. These experts actively shape European policymaking from within the institutions, providing invaluable insights as we navigate an increasingly complex European landscape and prepare for our eighth EU Presidency.