Presidency of the Council of the European Union
From July to December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making.
For six months, Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreement between Member States, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people.
This will be the eighth time Ireland has held the rotating Presidency – a responsibility that reflects our enduring commitment to partnership, cooperation and progress in Europe. Ireland last held the role in 2013, and previously in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996 and 2004.
What is the Council of the European Union?
The Council of the European Union – often simply called “the Council” – is one of the EU’s main decision-making institutions. It represents governments of the 27 EU Member States.
National ministers meet in the Council to debate, amend and adopt EU laws and coordinate policy.
The Council:
- Negotiates and adopts EU laws with the European Parliament
- Coordinates member state policies across key areas
- Shapes the EU’s foreign and security policy
- Agrees the EU’s annual budget with the European Parliament
- Concludes agreements between the EU and international partners.
The Council meets in 10 different policy configurations, from environment and agriculture to foreign affairs and finance. Each country is represented by the Minister responsible for the relevant policy area.
What does the Presidency do?
Holding the Presidency is a significant responsibility. The Presidency acts as an honest broker, ensuring cooperation, continuity and progress across the Council’s work.
During the six-month term, Ireland will:
- Plan and chair Council meetings and negotiations
- Lead around 180 Council preparatory bodies
- Represent the Council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission
- Lead “trilogue” negotiations on EU legislation
- Ensure transparent communication of decisions
- Work closely with the President of the European Council and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In short, Ireland will help set the agenda, drive consensus and deliver results for citizens across Europe.
Preparations underway
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well advanced across Government. Extensive engagement has already taken place with:
- EU Institutions and Member States
- Business and trade unions
- Civil society organisations
- Youth groups and communities
- Academic and policy experts.
A national public consultation in late 2025 invited people and organisations across Ireland to share their views on the issues that should shape Ireland’s Presidency, with 484 submissions received.
Reflecting on the strong level of engagement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, said:
“Our EU Presidency will be a genuine whole of Government and whole of country effort. It belongs to everybody and it is really important that we hear from all sectors. I am delighted that the consultation process has generated such a high level of interest. Together with the consultation meetings that have taken place over recent months, the views we have received will be an invaluable input to the development of our Presidency policy programme, which will be developed and refined over the coming months prior to publication in June 2026.”
Read full press release on gov.ie
Ireland’s Presidency Policy Programme, along with a dedicated official Presidency website, will be launched in June 2026, just ahead of the start of Ireland’s six-month term, providing citizens and stakeholders with an accessible overview of policy priorities, planned meetings, and engagement opportunities.
What will happen in Ireland during the Presidency?
While Irish Ministers and officials will chair negotiations across dozens of policy areas in Brussels and Luxembourg, an ambitious programme of meetings and events will also take place here at home, welcoming tens of thousands of delegates, leaders and visitors from across Europe.
Over six months, Ireland will host:
- An informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government
- A meeting of the European Political Community, bringing together leaders from 47 European countries, the largest event of its kind ever held in Ireland
- 22 informal Ministerial meetings
- 250 additional Presidency events
- 30,000+ visitors.
Additional conferences and meetings will be organised by universities, cultural institutions, civil society and business groups.
These events will take place across the country, delivering economic, cultural and community benefits nationwide.
A national conversation on Europe
"This Presidency is not just about meetings and negotiations; it is about reconnecting people with what Europe means in their lives."
- Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD
Throughout 2026, a nationwide programme of engagement will connect communities with the work of the Presidency and create opportunities for people to participate in conversations about Ireland’s role in Europe.
Community connections
Each county will be paired with an EU Member State for the duration of the Presidency, creating opportunities to build lasting local links across Europe. Ambassadors of EU Member States in Ireland, accompanied by Irish Ambassadors based in those Member States, will visit schools, libraries, sports clubs and community organisations to take part in a wide range of public events and conversations.
Launching this initiative, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, said:
“Since last year, I have visited villages, towns and cities across Ireland, to talk with people about the importance of our EU membership and the role that Ireland will play during our EU Presidency. In all these visits, the strong interest in discussing Ireland’s place in the EU, and our relationships with other parts of Europe, has been very evident. I know this initiative will help to build on that interest and deepen the relationships communities across the country have with our European partners.”
Youth engagement
Engaging young people will be an important part of Ireland’s Presidency. Through youth assemblies, school and university visits, and structured dialogue nationwide, students will have opportunities to learn more about how the European Union shapes their lives and futures, and to share their views on the issues that matter most to them.
This work is already underway. Delegates from Seanad na nÓg, representing Comhairle na nÓg and youth organisations across Ireland, have developed a set of recommendations to help inform Ireland’s Presidency priorities. Youth-friendly versions of the Presidency programme and tailored learning resources will also be made available to primary and post-primary schools to build understanding of Ireland’s role in Europe and encourage the next generation to take an active interest in European issues.
Cultural programme
Ireland’s Presidency will also be a chance to celebrate our culture with communities at home and across Europe. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is developing a Presidency Cultural Programme with domestic and international elements, working with cultural institutions, local authorities and partners nationwide.
Through a range of events, performances and initiatives, a programme will reach communities across Ireland and abroad, showcasing Ireland’s creativity and strengthening cultural connections with our European partners.
Ireland and Europe: shaping the future together
Ireland’s EU membership has transformed our country – supporting peace, prosperity and opportunity.
The 2026 Presidency is an opportunity to give back: to lead responsibly, to build consensus and to help Europe respond to shared challenges. Most importantly, it is a chance for everyone to take part.