A special event marking the countdown to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, hosted by Noelle O Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, Catherine Day, Former Secretary General of the European Commission, Lucinda Creighton, Former Minister of State for European Affairs, Mairead McGuinness, Former First Vice-President of European Parliament and European Commissioner, Maeve von Heynitz, the current Director General of the European Union and Trade Policy Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Barbara Nolan, Former Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland at Europa House, Balfe Street.
12 June 2025 A special event marking the countdown to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union took place today. An expert panel of women who played a key role in the last EU Presidency in 2013 shared their experiences and reflections and looked forward to Ireland assuming the role for the eighth time in July 2026. During this period, Irish Ministers will be responsible for chairing meetings of the Council and steering the EU’s legislative and policy agenda.
Hosted by Noelle O Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, she was joined by Maeve von Heynitz, the current Director General of the European Union and Trade Policy Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Catherine Day, Former Secretary General of the European Commission, Lucinda Creighton, Former Minister of State for European Affairs, Mairead McGuinness, Former First Vice-President of European Parliament and European Commissioner and Barbara Nolan, Former Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
Commenting on her reflections from the 2013 EU Presidency Ms. Catherine Day said, “Ireland has a reputation for being well prepared and working with all other Member States and the EU Institutions to broker compromises which deliver good results for the EU. Looking back on Ireland’s Presidency in 2013, this approach delivered notable agreements on the EU Budget (MFF) and a mandate for an EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). I am confident that Ireland has all of the political, diplomatic and technical skills needed for a successful Presidency in the second half of next year.”
Throughout the 2013 Presidency, Ireland drove progress across a range of European sectors while focusing on the theme of stability, jobs, and growth against a backdrop of a country emerging from a deep economic recession. Under Ireland’s leadership, the EU reached an agreement for a seven-year €960 million budget promoting sustainable economic growth and the creation of jobs, particularly for young people. In the agricultural sector, the 2013 Presidency oversaw historic reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that ensured fairer distribution of income support to farmers across the EU, as well as the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme and a negotiating mandate for an EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), among other achievements.
Ms. Noelle O Connell said, “Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council presents an exciting opportunity, with Irish leadership taking centre stage and working for the common good of the wider EU community. Building on the success of previous Presidencies, Ireland can capitalise on strengthening Ireland’s relationship with the European Union by engaging citizens across Ireland. Furthermore, the Presidency offers a historic opportunity to build on the notable contributions of our distinguished panellists today, who have worked diligently to promote Ireland’s leadership in Europe.”
Ireland will assume the Presidency from Cyprus and will hold its Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. Ireland will form the first part of an eighteen month “Trio Presidency” with Lithuania and Greece.