Ireland's EU Council Presidency 2026:
Shaping Europe's Next Chapter

In his opening remarks, Markus Ferber MEP argued that Europe has entered a defining period requiring political leadership, strategic vision and the ability to translate ambition into concrete action. He underlined the unique role of the rotating Council Presidency in building consensus, maintaining legislative momentum and creating the conditions for common European solutions. In this context, Ireland's Presidency motto, Strength with Unity, reflects that Europe's strength does not come from uniformity, but from our ability to work together despite different national interests and political perspectives.

Setting the Priorities of the Irish Presidency

Ambassador Luke Feeney, Ireland's Representative to the Political and Security Committee, outlined the Presidency's three overarching priorities: Competitiveness, Security and Values. He stressed that these priorities are closely interconnected through key policy files, including the MFF, support for Ukraine, enlargement and the EU's external action. At the same time, he noted that, in an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical environment, even the best-prepared Presidency must remain flexible enough to respond to unforeseen developments.

Competitiveness as Europe's Central Economic Challenge

Competitiveness emerged as the Presidency's central economic priority. The discussion focused on completing the Single Market, reducing regulatory burdens and market fragmentation, strengthening the Savings and Investment Union, and creating better conditions for European businesses to innovate and scale. The recently agreed One Europe, One Market roadmap was highlighted as the political framework for these reforms. Speakers stressed that competitiveness should not be understood as deregulation alone, but as creating a more integrated European market capable of attracting investment, fostering innovation and enabling companies to grow across borders.

Kevin Barrett outlined the Commission's work on a common European company framework ("EU Inc."), a fully digital corporate structure that could simplify the creation of innovative businesses and facilitate cross-border investment. He argued that an optional European framework would complement national company law while making Europe more attractive to entrepreneurs and investors.

Climate action was presented as a cross-cutting priority embedded throughout the Presidency's programme. In this context, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels was seen as serving environmental, economic and security objectives simultaneously.

Security, Defence and Strategic Autonomy

The discussion also addressed Europe's rapidly evolving security environment. While reaffirming Ireland's policy of military neutrality, Ambassador Luke Feeney stressed that neutrality does not eliminate security challenges. Hybrid threats, cyber-attacks, drone incursions and Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine require closer European cooperation.

Among the priorities identified for the Presidency are military mobility, defence industrial cooperation and improved access to defence funding for innovative SMEs and start-ups. Continued support for Ukraine, closer engagement with the United Kingdom following renewed political dialogue, and strong transatlantic relations were likewise identified as areas where Ireland could help build consensus.

Values at the Centre of the Presidency

Alongside competitiveness and security, Ireland has placed values at the heart of its Presidency. Democracy, the rule of law, civil society engagement and support for the rules-based international order were presented as essential priorities in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.

The Presidency intends to advance work on democratic resilience, the Democracy Shield initiative and enlargement, while maintaining strong support for Ukraine. It also aims to prioritise humanitarian action, promote a sustainable two-state solution in the Middle East and reinforce the EU's commitment to international development cooperation.

Speakers welcomed the renewed momentum in accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans, arguing that enlargement has become not only a political objective but also a strategic investment in Europe's long-term stability and security.

The Multiannual Financial Framework as the Presidency's Defining Test

The panel agreed that negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework will be the defining test of the Irish Presidency. Ambassador Luke Feeney explained that the proposed budget architecture brings together competitiveness, security, cohesion and external action more closely than ever before, placing the MFF at the centre of the Presidency's agenda.

Lucinda Creighton and Kevin Barrett argued that meaningful progress on the MFF will ultimately be the key measure of the Presidency's success. While a political agreement within six months would be highly ambitious, establishing a strong Council position and maintaining negotiating momentum would already represent a significant achievement.

The discussion also highlighted Ireland's unique position as a country that has transitioned from being one of the largest beneficiaries of European integration to becoming a significant net contributor to the EU budget. Rather than joining more fiscally restrictive Member States, Ireland has consistently supported a strong European budget while recognising the need to adapt spending priorities to emerging challenges such as competitiveness, defence and innovation.

Ireland's Comparative Advantage as Council President

Reflecting on Ireland's previous Council Presidencies, former Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton argued that success depends less on ambitious political declarations than on disciplined preparation, clear prioritisation and strong relationships across the EU institutions. Drawing on Ireland's 2013 Presidency, she stressed that trust, dialogue and sustained engagement with both the Council and the European Parliament are indispensable for achieving durable compromises.

Barry Colfer added that Ireland combines extensive institutional experience with an outward-looking political culture shaped by its development as a small, open economy. This, he argued, gives Ireland particular credibility in negotiations on competitiveness, openness and international cooperation.

The discussion concluded that these qualities constitute Ireland's principal comparative advantage as Council President. Rather than advancing narrowly defined national interests, Ireland's strength lies in its ability to build consensus, broker compromise, and foster cooperation across the EU institutions. At a time when the Union faces multiple and interconnected challenges, a pragmatic and consensus-oriented approach is expected to be central to advancing the Presidency's ambitious agenda.