John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress of plans for the management of the EU Presidency in 2026; if decisions to host events outside Dublin have been made; if so, the locations agreed or those being considered for such events; and if the regions, insofar as is practical, will be showcased in equal measure to promote tourism and inward investment. [50742/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Work on preparations and planning has been stepped up across Government, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in close cooperation with the Department of the Taoiseach. Work is underway to develop the priorities and policy programme for Ireland’s Presidency, to plan our approach to the management of the Council’s work and of the Council preparatory bodies that we will chair in 2026, and to ensure that the necessary staff and resources are in place to deliver a successful Presidency.

The Government has agreed that we will host an informal meeting of the European Council and a summit meeting of the European Political Community in Ireland during the Presidency, as well as a programme of 22 informal Council meetings at Ministerial level. More than 250 other Presidency meetings and events are expected to be hosted in Ireland in 2026, in addition to meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg.

My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and other relevant Departments and agencies across Government to plan the range of meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. This planning work includes assessment of the suitability of a wide range of locations as possible venues for Presidency meetings and events, taking account of specific criteria.

The full official calendar, which will include details of all meetings and events forming part of the official programme for Ireland’s EU Presidency, will be published in June 2026 with the launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency website.