Dublin Castle ceremony to mark start of EU Presidency

The Government will launch Ireland's six-month Presidency of the European Union at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has invited the President of the European Council António Costa as well as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the launch.

On Friday, the College of European Commissioners, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will mark the launch of the Presidency by holding its weekly meeting in Cork.

The Taoiseach will hold a bilateral meeting with President Costa, who represents 27 EU leaders, at Government Buildings ahead of the launch.

The ceremony in Dublin Castle will be attended by former taoisigh, former and current Irish MEPs, former Irish EU commissioners, as well as the current Commissioner for Justice, Democracy and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath.

Ambassadors from all 26 other EU member states have been invited to attend, as well as diplomatic staff from further afield.

Ahead of the launch, the Taoiseach said: "This is a very important moment for our country as we take on the Presidency for the eighth time, and I am very grateful to both Presidents for helping us mark the occasion with an opening ceremony in Dublin Castle at which we will raise EU and Ukrainian flags.

"In my meeting with President Costa I look forward to discussing how we can work closely together to deliver our ambitious policy programme.

"We want to improve Europe’s competitiveness - making life easier for our businesses and delivering quality jobs to its people.

"We want to defend the key values that underpin our Union, protecting our democracy and keeping our citizens safe."

"Ukraine is part of our European family, so I look forward to reiterating to President Zelensky that Ireland and the EU will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Supporting Ukraine will be an important priority for us during our term.

"In our meetings today, we will also be discussing how to increase pressure on Russia so that the cost of continuing its illegal war becomes unsustainable," he added.

The launch will be attended by the Cabinet, TDs and other dignitaries.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee provided an update to the Government yesterday outlining the status of key legislative initiatives on the EU’s agenda as the Cyprus Presidency drew to a close.

"Over the next six months, we'll focus on building a stronger and more competitive Europe, protecting the values we share, improving security, and making the online world safer for children.

"My goal is simple: to deliver results that make a positive difference for people, businesses and communities here in Ireland and right across Europe," she said.

The Presidency comes as the EU faces ongoing challenges, dominated by Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, the fallout from the Gulf conflict and the need for Europe to boost competitiveness.

The bloc has been shaken by ongoing trade friction with the Trump Administration, high energy costs and a sluggish economy.

The response to Europe’s competitiveness problems has been enshrined in the One Europe, One Market roadmap, which sets out a raft of policy priorities, with strict deadlines for implementation, which will test Ireland’s negotiating skills over the next six months.

As Presidency, Ireland’s role is to forge a consensus among 27 national capitals on a range of EU legislation as a prerequisite to final negotiations with the European Parliament before the draft legislation becomes law.

A key challenge will be to secure a common member state position on the next seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), by the end of the year, so that EU funds will be able to flow at the beginning of 2028.

Already, member states are sharply divided on the scale of the €2 trillion budget and what it should prioritise, with further differences on what new revenue streams the EU should agree on.

During the Presidency, Ireland will host 22 informal ministerial meetings, as well as a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), which brings together some 48 heads of government from EU and non-EU continental countries, and an informal meeting of the European Council.

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said: "The Irish Government is determined to deliver a successful EU Presidency that enhances Ireland’s international standing and influence globally, and delivers for Europe and its people, including here at home."

The Opposition expressed dissatisfaction with Ireland's priorities for its Presidency and will seek to capitalise should the Government lose focus on domestic political issues through the heavy EU workload of the next six months.

"Sinn Féin has three priorities for the Irish Presidency of the EU. Preparing for Irish Unity with structured discussions on the EU's agreed position that all of Ireland will seamlessly come into membership following reunification.

"Supporting workers, farmers and communities to protect livelihoods and deal with the cost of living crisis. Standing up for peace and international law with a clear recognition of Irish neutrality and the role of military neutrals within the EU," said Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

People Before Profit Dun Laoghaire TD Richard Boyd Barrett branded the Presidency as a "propaganda jamboree" for Ireland removing the Triple Lock.

"While the government will be in Dublin Castle tomorrow afternoon to mark the start of Ireland’s EU Presidency, I will join a demonstration outside Dublin Castle, with anti-war, pro-neutrality peace, and Palestine solidarity groups to call for a People’s Europe and to say no to genocide and war," he said.

Overall, some 280 meetings related to the Presidency will take place in Ireland, with three-quarters taking place in Dublin Castle and the rest happening across the country.

The Government has said it will act as an honest broker on negotiations on all legislative files, despite the risk that the seven-year budget could see a 20% reduction in CAP spending.

The Presidency will prioritise EU enlargement, with the Government hopeful that Montenegro could conclude its accession negotiations within the next six months, meaning that the small Balkan state could become the 28th member in 2028.

The Government is also keen to boost Europe’s life sciences sector.

On 30 April, Minister McEntee, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and Minister for Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke wrote to the EU’s Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič proposing a strategic dialogue on the future of the sector.

The proposal called for a dedicated forum bringing together the European Commission, member states with significant life sciences sectors and industry to take a coordinated, long-term approach to strengthening Europe's competitiveness.

It is understood the European Commission is now considering the establishment of a dedicated pharmaceutical and life sciences taskforce, recognising the sector as strategically important to Europe's future competitiveness.

Hosting the presidency is estimated to be costing between €185 million and €400 million, once security costs have been factored in.

The Coalition has set aside €293 million for the presidency, with €125 million ringfenced for security as the Government tries to ramp up its security capability amid renewed focus on Ireland's ability to defend itself from attack.

The Government has accelerated the purchase of counter-drone technology worth €19 million.

It is also been reported that the Government will, if necessary, avail of French and British naval assets during the Presidency.