Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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718. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her Department’s priorities for Ireland’s EU Council Presidency. [49573/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July. Preparations have been ongoing for some time with the Presidency programme launched on 10 June and made available on the Presidency website ireland2026.eu or éire2026.eu. The Irish Presidency will take forward an ambitious agenda, focused on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security.

Our programme views the themes of values, competitiveness and security as interconnected – we do not have to choose between them, they support each other. Under a theme of ‘Equality and Competitiveness’, the Department will highlight extensive evidence that – when designed well and implemented effectively – equality measures are a competitive edge for Europe.

Another key priority for the Department will be on Disability matters, and Ireland will host a High-Level Conference on Disability in October focused on the potential of digital and assistive technologies.

As the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland's first responsibility will be to progress the EU agenda. Within the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s remit this is expected to include appropriately progressing negotiations on active EU files.

The Department currently holds lead responsibility in Ireland for three active EU legislative proposals, which have been progressed or agreed by the Cyprus Presidency. Those active files are:

1. 2023/0169(COD) - EU legislative proposal on the protection of vulnerable adults: jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures and cooperation
2. 2008/0140 (CNS) - Proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation the equal treatment directive, and
3. 2025/0550(COD) - The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) aspects of the proposal for a regulation establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034.

These events will bring particular emphasis on disabled people, marginalised groups and the participation of children and young people. Details of these events are included on the Presidency website. There will also be some events taking place in Brussels such as the High-level Roundtable on Equality Data.

I will also host an Informal Meeting of Equality Ministers in Kerry in November.