Ireland’s presidency of the EU will focus on supporting Ukraine, maintaining growth and protecting children online, senior government figures have said.
The Irish Government published on Wednesday its policy programme for the presidency of the Council of the EU.
Hosting the six-month term presidency, which will involve summits of senior EU figures in Ireland, is expected to cost between 165 and 185 million euro, excluding security costs.
Speaking at the launch at Dublin Castle on Wednesday, Irish premier Micheál Martin said they needed to “work harder” to protect EU citizens during a period of “increased threat and conflict”.
Mr Martin said that the Dáil agenda would not change as a result of the Irish presidency, but said it would involve “a significant extra workload” for ministers of state and public servants.
Irish deputy premier and finance minister Simon Harris said negotiating the annual EU budget would be a priority and said the “interlocking themes” of competitiveness, values and security reinforced each other.
Foreign Affairs minister Helen McEntee said it would be a presidency “for the whole country” and said all counties would be given a chance to engage with the EU presidency.
Mr Martin and other ministers used the Irish phrase “ní neart go cur le chéile”, translating roughly as “there is no strength without unity”, as they launched the programme.
Minister of State Thomas Byrne said it was the first time Ireland would hold the presidency of the EU since Irish became an official working language of the EU in January 2022.
Mr Martin said they would need a “relentless focus” on the agenda amid conflict and challenges around the world.
“War and conflict is undermining democracy, undermining the economy, undermining society, undermining dignity,” Mr Martin said.
“We’re conscious that’s the backdrop that we’re entering into the presidency.
“It’s within our capacity (to make progress) once we keep our eye on the ball to keep relentless focus on getting the job done.
“In terms of enlargement, we believe we can do a really good job of getting Montenegro very close to the line by the end of the year.”
The EU Council, representing the EU’s heads of government and ministers, is in charge of legislation and involves gatherings of EU ministers with similar briefs.
For six months, Ireland will take responsibility for planning and chairing EU Council meetings and negotiations, and representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.
About 30,000 delegates will visit Ireland over the six-month period, with meetings taking place over four-and-a-half months when the breaks over August and the Christmas period are excluded.
