Taoiseach Micheál Martin to present Ireland Council Presidency priorities
On Tuesday morning MEPs will discuss the priorities of the Irish government’s six-month Council Presidency, which began on 1 July, with the Taoiseach.
Under the banner of “Strength with Unity”, Ireland will focus on three policy pillars: competitiveness, values, and security. On competitiveness, the recently adopted “One Europe, One Market Roadmap” will act as a blueprint for the Presidency’s actions, focusing on the simplification agenda, a better integrated EU single market, trade, the energy transition, and digitalisation and AI. The Irish Presidency will also work to enhance the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, promote active engagement in the Middle East, work towards the completion of accession negotiations with Montenegro, and seek to make substantial progress in negotiations with Albania, Moldova and Ukraine.
On security, Ireland will focus on measures to strengthen European security and defence, including defence procurement, military mobility, cybersecurity, and action to counter hybrid threats. Reaching an agreement on the EU’s new long-term budget for 2028 to 2034 is an overarching priority for Ireland’s Council Presidency.
Debate: Tuesday 7 July
Procedure: Council and Commission statements, no resolution
Press conference: Tuesday 7 July, timing TBC