Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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536. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the planned cultural programme for Ireland's holding of the EU Council presidency in 2026. [63733/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister for Culture, I believe that Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026 offers a unique opportunity to highlight and champion the best of Irish arts and culture, both traditional and contemporary. A strong culture programme will enhance Ireland’s reputation at European and international level and provide key showcasing opportunities for Irish culture and artists and highlight the strong state commitment to the provision of arts and culture in recent years.

My Department is co-ordinating the EU Presidency Cultural Programme and are working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that the offering is quality, memorable and in line with our overall Presidency approach and themes.

The programme, which is still in development, will entail both national and international activity including include events in Brussels, Paris, Berlin and Dublin as well as across the EU26 and selected other locations. My Department, through Culture Ireland, will lead out on the international cultural programme, including in Brussels, as well as overseeing the domestic programme which will include events with the National Cultural Institutions, Irish festivals and cultural organisations. Funding will also be made available to local authorities to ensure events take place in every county.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will lead on cultural relations programming across the Mission/Embassy network in the EU26, candidate countries and selected third countries.

While the programme is still under development an Interagency Presidency Cultural Programme Committee has been established to work collaboratively on all elements of the emerging programme.

The Strategic objectives of the programme include the following:

• Present the best of Irish Culture to audiences across Europe and beyond, leading to a deeper mutual understanding between Irish and other cultures and communities.
• Establish a legacy of creative, inclusive, and reflective programming that enriches Irish European ties.
• Developing audiences for Irish arts by presenting a vibrant, contemporary, diverse, and high-quality work, in line with Culture Ireland’s Strategy.
• Deepen cultural and academic collaboration between Irish and European institutions.
• Strengthening our global cultural presence and impact, in line with the Government’s upcoming Global Ireland 2040 Strategy.