Minister Byrne speaks at MacGill Summer School on Irish EU Presidency

Minister Byrne speaks at MacGill Summer School on Irish EU Presidency

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 23 July 2026
• Last updated on: 23 July 2026

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (23 July) spoke at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, County Donegal, outlining how the Irish EU Presidency priorities will help Europe meet the challenges it faces in an increasingly fragmented world.

The event took place in the first month of Ireland's EU Presidency, which began on 1 July and will continue until 31 December. Ireland's EU Presidency priorities focus on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security.

Minister Byrne provided an overview of the work of the Irish EU Presidency so far, highlighting the six informal Council meetings taking place in Ireland this month, and the first two high-level events in which the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, participated in.

Minister Byrne discussed the policy context for Ireland's EU Presidency, outlining several major legislative initiatives on the Council's agenda, including work on the EU's long-term budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the implementation of the One Europe, One Market Roadmap to enhance the Union's competitiveness, and plans to progress EU enlargement.

Minister Byrne said: "At MacGill Summer School, I was glad to take the opportunity to provide an insight into the work of the Irish EU Presidency to date. Our work is well underway and already, the Irish EU Presidency is delivering results, across a range of our policy priorities. So far, five informal Council meetings have taken place in locations right across Ireland, rooted in our policy priorities and in our communities.

"In Brussels earlier this month, I chaired the first meeting of the EU General Affairs Council during our Presidency, which featured work on the simplification agenda and Ireland's EU Presidency approach to negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Work on the future EU budget is a central and key priority for me during our EU Presidency, because it has the power to transform Europe for the better and provide for our citizens and communities in the decade ahead.

"We have set out an ambitious agenda between now and the end of the year, working to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's economy, safeguard the fundamental values of our Union at home and abroad, and provide for the security of our citizens across Europe. We are determined to use our eighth EU Presidency to deliver real benefits for citizens, communities and businesses in Ireland and across the continent.

"We have also made significant progress on EU enlargement. On 14 July, dubbed 'Super Tuesday,' I was honoured to chair four Inter-Governmental Conferences to advance Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania on their paths towards membership of the Union. This was the largest number of conferences held on a single day since 2002 and is a significant early achievement of our EU Presidency."

ENDS

Press Office

23 July 2026