Irish Presidency of the Council aims to create opportunities and protect people.

Under the motto “Strength through Unity” (“Ní neart go cur le chéile”), Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the second half of 2026, succeeding Cyprus. It will be Ireland’s first Presidency since Irish became one of the official working languages of the European Union in January 2022. Through its Presidency, Ireland intends to underline the Union’s commitment to linguistic diversity and integrate the Irish language into the work of the Council, official communication and cultural events.

Strengthening Europe’s capacity to act: Priorities of the Irish Council Presidency

At a time of economic transformation and geopolitical uncertainty, the Irish Presidency presents itself in its programme as a consensus-oriented and moderating force. The Council is to be strengthened as a forum for joint decision-making and Europe’s strategic resilience. Accordingly, the focus is less on launching new initiatives and more on advancing viable compromises and delivering tangible progress on existing legislative files. Ireland’s objective is to strengthen Europe’s capacity to act in times of global uncertainty through implementation, reliability and unity.

This also includes supporting common security efforts, such as enhancing the EU’s foreign policy capacity, strengthening cooperation in addressing hybrid threats and reinforcing critical infrastructure. Existing international partnerships are likewise to be deepened. Through its Presidency, Ireland also aims to advance the resilience of European value chains and further develop the Capital Markets Union in order to secure the EU’s long-term economic competitiveness. Reducing regulatory barriers and improving the business environment are intended to go hand in hand with the digital and green transitions.

Within the framework of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), the Presidency seeks to strengthen quality of life and living standards across Europe, promote equal rights and social inclusion, and combine sustainable growth with competitiveness.

Ireland explicitly presents European social and health policy as part of a shared European social and economic model based on resilience, cohesion and equality.

Employment and a modern labour market

Employment policy will focus on how to create and secure high-quality jobs in a changing European labour market. The Irish Presidency intends to advance discussions on how employees and employers can succeed both within and beyond the Single Market. It also aims to promote safer, healthier and more productive workplaces.

As part of the FairLabour Mobility Package, which is expected to be published during the Irish Presidency, Ireland intends to prioritise two initiatives:

• The development of the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS), designed to make it easier for citizens to prove and exercise their social security entitlements when living or working in another EU Member State;
  

• Strengthening the mandate of the European Labour Authority (ELA) to improve the implementation and enforcement of fair working conditions across the EU.
  

These initiatives aim to reinforce the EU’s social safety net, strengthen the protection of workers’ rights and promote high employment standards across all Member States.

Social policy, equality and inclusion

Another priority is the further development of the European equality and social model.The Irish Presidency emphasises that equal rights, non-discrimination and social participation are key prerequisites for economic development and democratic stability.

Within the framework of the new European Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030, particular attention will be paid to the care economy, the impact of technological change on labour markets and participation in political and economic decision-making processes.

The Presidency underlines that social investment not only helps combat poverty and exclusion but can also foster innovation, skills development and economic growth.

Health as a prerequisite for competitiveness

In health policy, Ireland highlights the connection between strong health systems, innovation and economic performance. Access to high-quality healthcare is understood both as an expression of European values and as a prerequisite for social and economic resilience.

The priorities of the Irish Presidency therefore include advancing key health files, in particular negotiations on the EU Biotech Act as well as revisions to the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR). A particular focus will be placed on women’s health. Ireland explicitly refers to previously underserved health areas – including conditions such as endometriosis – and highlights their impact on labour market participation, healthcare outcomes and social equality. 

Through this approach, the Presidency aims to anchor health policy more firmly as an integral component of a future-oriented European economic and social agenda. 

A Social Europe as a competitive advantage

Overall, Ireland links its EPSCO priorities to the idea that European values – including equality, the rule of law, solidarity and non-discrimination – are not only guiding societal principles but also a source of economic competitiveness. The Presidency therefore sees social investment, high-quality employment and resilient health systems as essential conditions for strengthening Europe’s attractiveness as a place to live and work in the long term.