Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on her Department’s priorities for Ireland’s EU Council Presidency. [50203/26]

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.

Our priorities and policy programme for the Presidency were launched on 10 June and published alongside the full calendar of Presidency meetings and events on eire2026.eu and ireland2026.eu.

The Irish Presidency will take forward an ambitious agenda, focused on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security. These three themes are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and will guide all aspects of our work as Presidency.

The Strategic Agenda for the Union for the period up to 2029 has provided the principal backdrop to the development of our Presidency priorities, which has also been informed by extensive consultation with partners across Europe and with domestic stakeholders.

Ireland has 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 through our 2026 Presidency.