Ireland Marks Six Months to the Start of the EU Presidency

Ireland Marks Six Months to the Start of the EU Presidency

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 31 December 2025
• Last updated on: 31 December 2025

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, have provided an update on preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency six months from the start of the Presidency term.

As part of Ireland's Presidency preparations, extensive consultations with stakeholders have taken place over recent weeks. An open call for submissions on the development of Ireland's Presidency priorities and policy programme, which ran from 5 November until 12 December, received 484 responses to the consultation on gov.ie.

Minister McEntee said: "I want to acknowledge the significant achievements of the Danish EU Presidency, which concludes its term at the end of December, and the strong leadership Denmark has provided for the Union. As Cyprus begins its Presidency tomorrow, Ireland extends its best wishes for the next six months. We look forward to working closely with our Cypriot colleagues to advance a positive policy agenda for people, businesses and communities across the EU.

"Our EU Presidency will be a genuine whole of Government and whole of country effort. It belongs to everybody and it is really important that we hear from all sectors. I am delighted that the consultation process has generated such a high level of interest. Together with the consultation meetings that have taken place over recent months, the views we have received will be an invaluable input to the development of our Presidency policy programme, which will be developed and refined over the coming months prior to publication in June 2026."

Minister Byrne said: "I congratulate Denmark on the success of their EU Presidency over the last six months, and extend my best wishes to Cyprus, as it takes over the EU Presidency from tomorrow until 30 June.

"In preparation for Ireland's EU Presidency, I have met with a wide range of groups and individuals across the country, as well as in Brussels, to hear their thoughts and priorities as we move forward with this next stage of our work. I greatly appreciate the time and effort which so many have put into the consultations, including those who made a formal submission on the EU Presidency, to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

During the EU Presidency, Ireland will take its place on the global stage. Significant events will include a summit meeting of the European Political Community, which will be the largest event of its kind ever hosted in Ireland, together with an informal meeting of EU leaders in the European Council. The Irish government will host more than 270 meetings, conferences and events in Ireland, involving representatives from our European and international partners. EU Presidency meetings in Ireland are expected to involve more than 30,000 participants.

Minister McEntee said: "Highlights of the 2026 meetings programme will include the largest ever gathering of Heads of State and Government in Ireland, and Ministerial meetings on issues as diverse as housing, energy, transport, digital, trade, agriculture and foreign policy.

"Whether at Head of State, Ministerial or official level, the meetings in Ireland will also allow us to showcase the best of Ireland - our people, our culture, our economy - to our partners from all across Europe. It's equally important that meetings will be taking place in regional locations across Ireland".

Minister Byrne said: "In an increasingly virtual world, on-the-ground diplomacy still counts a great deal. Since taking office, I have visited over a dozen EU capitals and the capitals of EU candidate countries, to strengthen government-to-government relationships, and people-to-people links, ahead of Ireland's EU Presidency. By coming together as Member States, be it at Ministerial meetings or otherwise, it allows us to find solutions and progress the agenda across all areas of work for the betterment of EU citizens and communities. I look forward to welcoming my government counterparts to Ireland during our EU Presidency."

Minister McEntee also announced her intention foster a national conversation on the meaning of Ireland's EU membership against the background of today's challenging international environment.

She said: "Looking ahead to 2026, the EU Presidency is an important moment to take stock and to reflect on the advantages as well as the responsibilities of membership. I'm looking forward to engaging intensively on this discussion with people of all backgrounds across the country."

Minister Byrne added: "It is essential to communicate Europe directly to people in their communities. Over 2025, I have travelled to villages, towns and cities across Ireland, to talk to schools and civil society groups about our EU Membership, and the opportunities that the EU Presidency offers to us. I am always energised by the level of interest and engagement shown during my community visits and I know that we can build on this energy in the months ahead."

ENDS

31 December 2025

Press Office