Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on Ireland’s preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. [17311/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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. The Presidency will be an opportunity for Ireland to play an important role in leading and shaping the EU’s policy and legislative agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.

Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well underway across both policy and operational strands of planning. Significant progress has been made by the two Inter-Departmental Groups leading on the coordination of Presidency planning; both on the preparation of Ireland’s policy approach and on putting in place key practical and operational building blocks for the Presidency.

The Inter-Departmental Group on Presidency Policy Planning has been preparing and coordinating Ireland's policy approach for the Presidency, taking account of significant policy developments at EU level which will shape the context for the work of the Council.

Work is ongoing to develop our Presidency priorities and policy programme. This is being prepared against the backdrop of the EU’s Strategic Agenda. A consultation process with domestic stakeholders has also helped to inform the development of our policy Programme, and a total of 484 responses were also received as part of an open call for public submissions in November and December 2025.

The Inter-Departmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning has been coordinating and overseeing work to put in place the key operational and logistical supports for the extensive programme of meetings in Ireland, including an accreditation system, arrangements for interpretation, transport, catering and accommodation. All Government Departments have been working to ensure key roles required to deliver the Presidency objectives are filled in a timely manner, including additional temporary positions, in Departmental headquarters and in particular in the Permanent Representation in Brussels, given its critical role in delivering a successful Presidency.

Our 2026 EU Presidency will be a major undertaking for Ireland and is a key focus for the work of Government. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms, and we are confident that with the support of our partners we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU in 2026.