Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will be carrying out a consultation on the way in which to shape the agenda of Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50339/25]

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will carry out a consultation on how to shape the agenda of Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50351/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 257 together.

I propose to take PQs 50339/25 and 50351/25 together.

Over the last 18 months my Department’s Officials have been putting in place the structures for a successful Presidency and have been working through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Interdepartmental Groups on Presidency Policy Priorities and Operation Planning on progressing Ireland’s policy priorities and operational planning for the Presidency. This work will continue right up to 1st July 2026 when Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Irish Presidency’s policy objectives will largely align with the EU’s ongoing legislative agenda and the evolving Council programme. Ireland will have scope to influence the direction and focus of Council work to advance areas of relevance to the Union and its citizens. Engagement with EU partners and institutions will be central to shaping Ireland’s priorities.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is leading on the development of Ireland's policy priorities, working across Government through an Interdepartmental Working Group on Presidency Policy Priorities. My Department is represented on this Group by the Assistant Secretary, EU and Trade Development Division. DFAT has developed a draft Domestic Stakeholder Engagement Plan. The consultation process will focus on engagement with stakeholders from business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups. The plan also includes a number of stakeholder events and an outreach programme to include schools and universities.

DFAT will also launch a written consultation process towards the end of this year 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.

In the meantime, I expect that my department will see a significant increase in requests for Stakeholder engagement from industry, business representative groups, Trade Unions, Civil Society and other interested parties. This stakeholder engagement will be managed through my office, the Presidency Team and the relevant divisions of my department to ensure that all views are heard.

Early and proactive engagement with these bodies will be key to building support for the Presidency policy programme and ensuring its priorities are effectively communicated once finalised. Stakeholders with an interest in specific elements of Ireland’s Presidency programme will be encouraged to engage directly with the officials who hold lead responsibility for the relevant policy areas. My Department’s Presidency Planning Team will continue to collaborate across government to ensure that all perspectives are heard and considered in a fair and inclusive manner.