Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the list of priorities for the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU; if advocating for the tackling of sexual and domestic violence against women will be considered as a core priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48987/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland 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.

Ireland's Presidency priorities and policy programme are under development, taking into account the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the Government's priorities in relation to the EU. Consultations with European partners will also inform the development of our priorities and policy programme, as will the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the Presidency terms of Denmark (July to December 2025) and Cyprus (January to June 2026).

A consultation process with domestic stakeholders will also guide the development of Ireland's Presidency policy programme and priorities. As a part of this process, my Department will organise a series of consultation meetings later this year with stakeholders from across business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups. A written consultation process will also be launched in late 2025 shortly to ensure that all stakeholders, and interested parties, have the opportunity to have their say on the development of Ireland's EU Presidency priorities and work programme. Other Government Departments are also engaging in sector-specific Presidency consultations with stakeholder groups. This process will allow consideration to be given to a broad range of policy issues as our Presidency programme is developed.

Following the conclusion of this process, the Government will agree and publish the our programme of policy priorities for the Presidency in June 2026, shortly before the start of Ireland's Presidency term.