Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU

Ireland assumes the EU Presidency

As of the 1st of July 2026, until the 31st of December 2026, Ireland is holding the current Presidency of the Council of the EU. This is the eighth time Ireland has undertaken the presidency, with the last term taking place in 2013. The position rotates between the 27 EU states every six months. Ireland’s role throughout the presidency will be to organise and chair meetings, steer the EU’s policy agenda, and to negotiate and ensure positions are agreed upon. This term will be critical for the EU not only due to the many geopolitical challenges, issues of security, and climate change that need to be addressed on the EU agenda, but also it is a pivotal moment where preparations and planning for the seven-year EU budget 2028- 2034 will be undertaken.  

There is also the operational challenge of hosting 280 meetings across Ireland. This means being well equipped with staff, sustainable venues, security, transport, food and drink which may result in a strain on everyday operations. Hosting the EU presidency will cost an estimated €300 million with ⅓ of the budget going towards security. Ireland, which ran a successful presidency in 2013, is expected to run another smooth presidency and to negotiate and close EU legislation, adopt EU laws, agreements, budgets and policies proposed by the European Commission.

Themes of the Presidency 

The main priorities and core themes for the Irish Presidency are: 

• Strengthening economic competitiveness 

• Upholding European Values  

• Security

This includes issues and priorities ranging from boosting Europe’s economy to protecting EU civilians, food security and building a more resilient EU to protecting values such as democracy, human rights and gender equality and prioritising development cooperation and championing sustainable development.

EU Ocean Act an Irish EU Presidency Event in Wexford Town

The EU Ocean Act, an event involving two-day discussions on the future of ocean governance, recently took place in the Wexford Opera House from the 7th-8th of July and was attended by policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders from across Europe. It resulted in a proposed legislation which will establish a legal framework for Marine Protected Areas in Irish waters, while supporting sustainable maritime planning and help Ireland achieve its target of protecting 30% of our maritime area by 2030. This was part of one of the many discussions that will occur all over Ireland in the next six months as part of the Presidency of the Council of the EU. 

Looking forward

The EU Irish Presidency is said to focus on fostering prosperity and wellbeing, upholding foundation of union and protecting its citizens. The Irish Presidency is now underway, and events like the EU Ocean Act event in County Wexford, are already leaving a legacy and making positive change. It will be exciting to see what will be discussed regarding sustainable development and the built environment and hopefully we will see some transformative and positive change here too.  

 Other events happening during the Irish EU Presidency that may interest our members are: 

European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) Conference 2026 

 Date and location: 2nd October, Dublin  

 

Infrastructure and the Weather: Climate Resilience and Ireland’s Role in Europe’s Digital Construction Transformation  

 Date and location: 8th October, Dublin 

 

Investing in skills for SME Competitiveness: An EU-Ireland Dialogue 

 Date and location: Date TBC, Dublin.  

 

Launching Ireland’s 10th Climate Action Week  

 Date and location: 7th September or 11th September, Dublin  

 

More information on the Irish Presidency of the EU Council can be found here: 

Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026