Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland

03/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/04/2026 07:24

Minister McEntee discusses the Trade and Competitiveness Agenda for the EU Presidency with Life Sciences Stakeholders

Press release

Minister McEntee discusses the Trade and Competitiveness Agenda for the EU Presidency with Life Sciences Stakeholders

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today met with representatives of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Healthcare Associations (EFPIA) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for a discussion on the trade and competitiveness agenda ahead of Ireland's EU Presidency later this year.

Competitiveness will be central to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will commence in July, and will be a key theme for the life sciences sector. During the meeting, Minister McEntee highlighted Ireland's support for EU competitiveness initiatives, which seek to improve our internal market, enable the growth of European SMEs, bolster our critical infrastructure and invest in the industries of the future.

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: "Our EU Presidency offers a unique opportunity to influence and shape the competitiveness agenda for the years ahead. This should include fostering an environment where the industries of the future can flourish."

In her role as Minister for Trade, Minister McEntee stressed the importance of life sciences for Irish global trade, which accounted for over €200billion in in total goods trade in 2025. She said: "The life sciences are at the heart of Ireland's success as an export orientated nation and we are determined to continue building on this. Improving the life sciences sector is a core strategic priority for Ireland and the EU as a whole."

Minister McEntee continued: "The life sciences sector is incredibly important to the Irish and EU economy, reflected in the ongoing development of Ireland's National Life Sciences strategy to ensure this sector remains competitive and innovative. This sector currently employs over 100,000 people in Ireland and contributes to 9.4% of EU GDP."

ENDS

Press Office

4 March 2026

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland published this content on March 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 04, 2026 at 13:24 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]