Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ireland will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026 as part of a presidency trio with Lithuania and Greece. During this time, Ireland is expected to chair over 180 Council preparatory meetings, bodies, and committees in Brussels as well as hosting over 270 presidency events and meetings in Ireland. Ireland is expected also to play a key role in progressing a number of important legislative and policy initiatives. Its work will focus on three interlocking pillars of competitiveness, values, and security. Key objectives include:

• advancing the EU’s competitiveness agenda through regulatory simplification
• deeper Internal Market integration, and investment in strategic sectors
• upholding the Union’s core values, including democracy, human rights, equality, and the rule of law
• strengthening the EU’s security and resilience in response to geopolitical and hybrid threats

The presidency will also play an important role in progressing negotiations on, for example, the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework and advancing the EU’s enlargement agenda.

Date published: 14 July 2026