11 June 2026 European Movement Ireland were delighted to welcome Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee T.D., to present a briefing on the government’s chosen priorities for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. European Movement Ireland members and stakeholders were invited to a briefing session with Minister McEntee, focusing on Ireland’s upcoming Presidency agenda, which was formally published yesterday.
1 July will mark the beginning of Ireland’s eighth EU Presidency since joining the EU in 1973. For six months, Ministers will be responsible for chairing meetings of the Council and steering the EU’s legislative and policy agenda. The Irish government have placed competitiveness, security and defence and values as the main three pillars of the Presidency.
In his remarks at the briefing, CEO European Movement Ireland David Geary said: “As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, the months ahead represent a defining opportunity for Ireland to help shape the future direction of Europe at a time of significant geopolitical, economic and democratic challenges. We are delighted to welcome Minister Helen McEntee to brief our members on Ireland’s priorities for the Presidency and the leadership role Ireland can play at the heart of Europe during this pivotal period.”
At the briefing, members of European Movement Ireland heard directly from Minister Helen McEntee on the Government’s recently published Presidency priorities and engaged in a wide-ranging discussion on the key European issues expected to shape the months ahead.
Ireland will assume the Presidency from Cyprus in three weeks’ time before handing over to Lithuania six months later. During the Presidency, Ireland will host more than 230 events, chair multiple Council meetings and convene over 170 preparatory meetings. Ireland will also host the European Political Community in November 2026, set to be the largest international gathering ever held in the State.