Ireland's EU Presidency: Shaping Europe's Future

Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the Council of the EU is a crucial opportunity to influence Europe's strategic direction. Key priorities include bolstering strategic autonomy, driving climate action, and simplifying regulatory frameworks. Ensuring the Presidency is clear and relatable to citizens, they can appreciate the role as a source of national pride. It is an opportunity to showcase Irish values on a European stage.

During its Presidency, Ireland can prioritise enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy to ensure resilience in the face of escalating global uncertainties. Ireland should champion an ambitious climate agenda during its Presidency, focusing on accelerating decarbonisation policies and enhancing EU global climate leadership. Industrial transformation and implementing key EU acts such as the Clean Industrial Deal, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and Critical Raw Materials Act should also be priorities.

Focus should be given to regulatory simplification, reducing burdens for businesses by making compliance digital-by-default and streamlining complex directives like the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD). Advances in data exchange and reporting standards should support efficiency. Additionally, Ireland’s Presidency should push to progress the Savings and Investments Union (SIU), encouraging venture capital flows and rechannelling household savings towards strategic EU industries.

This Presidency aims to deliver impactful benefits for people, companies, and communities across the EU, strengthening competitiveness, sustainability, and regulatory clarity.