The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July – 31 December 2026.
Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council, its eighth time doing so, this time as part of a presidency trio with Lithuania and Greece. Its term will end on 31 December 2026.
This trio system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period.
On the basis of the trio programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed six-month programme.
Under the banner ‘strength with unity’, Taoiseach (the Irish-Gaelic title for the Head of Government of the Republic of Ireland) Micheál Martin has set out the following priorities for the Irish Presidency of the Council:
• Strengthening competitiveness.
• Protecting democracy and European values.
• Enhancing security and defence.
In front of the European Parliament, Micheál Martin outlined the Irish priorities for the EU Council Presidency.
On competitiveness, Martin said, the Presidency will work to eliminate barriers, tackle unnecessary regulatory burdens, and boost internal market trade. On external trade, the Irish Presidency will seek to build an EU-US trade and investment relationship that benefits both, and work for a close and constructive partnership with the UK. The Presidency will continue to deepen the EU’s trade relationships with partners such as India, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Improving security of supply in Europe and developing sustainable, affordable and secure energy systems will also be a key focus of the Irish Presidency.
Ireland will aim to complete accession negotiations with Montenegro, to make substantial progress with Moldova and Ukraine, and to advance the countries of the Western Balkans along their EU accession trajectories as far as they are ready to go.
The Irish Presidency will, Micheál Martin said, continue to support EU efforts toward stability in Lebanon, Syria, and the wider Gulf region, as well as reaffirming the EU’s long-standing commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West bank as dire, Mr Martin said, Europe must do more.
On security the Presidency would continue its unwavering support for Ukraine, and that political, financial, military and humanitarian support for the country must be coupled with ever-increasing pressure on Russia, including tighter and stronger sanctions.
The Irish Presidency will support deep collaboration to build European resilience, particularly in the face of sophisticated hybrid threats, and to advance maritime and cyber security.
Micheál Martin's full speech to the European Parliament on 7 July 2026
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Would you like to find out more about the topics that will be discussed during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the coming months?
The European Council Library has compiled a guide to relevant resources.
It offers a curated selection of authoritative resources and a useful starting point for understanding the issues likely to shape the EU agenda during Ireland's Presidency (Books, Articles, Databases, Videos and Podcasts).
