Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
28. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the preparatory work under way in relation to Ireland assuming the Presidency of the European Union in 2026; his intended approach regarding engagement with the public, civil society, ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35853/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time on 1st July 2026 and we have already begun preparations. EU Member States holding the Presidency work closely in groups of three, called "trios". This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. We will be the first in the Trio Presidency made up of Ireland, Lithuania and Greece.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on EU engagement and Presidency Planning on the 4th of May last. The Government agreed that the responsibility for both EU Presidency policy and operational planning will be led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in close consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach; and that planning should be taken forward through two new Inter-Departmental Groups on Policy Presidency Planning and Operational Presidency Planning.
Both new inter-departmental Presidency planning structures - an Interdepartmental Group on Presidency Policy Planning and an Interdepartmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning have since been established. These two groups will advance Presidency preparations from this summer onwards and will see increased engagement on EU matters with the EU Institutions and across EU capitals in advance of Ireland’s Presidency.
Communication on EU matters to citizens remains a priority for the Government. This year and last, we marked the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the EU through the EU50 programme of events and initiatives at home and abroad. My Department will continue to build on this programme of enhanced citizen engagement on EU matters in the lead up to, and during, the Presidency.
