What the Presidency does
The Council of the European Union is where national ministers from each EU country negotiate and adopt EU law with the European Parliament. During Ireland's term, Irish Ministers act as neutral chairs: setting agendas, running negotiations, and leading trilogue talks that turn proposals into law.
This is not the same as the European Commission (which proposes laws) or the European Council of heads of government. The Presidency is a six-month rotating chair of the Council's work.
Three pillars of Ireland's 2026 programme
- Values: defending rules-based international cooperation and democratic standards.
- Security: responding to geopolitical crises and strengthening European defence frameworks.
- Competitiveness: driving economic progress, including housing and regional challenges at home.
The programme also prioritises agreement on the EU's 2028–2034 budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) and continued support for Ukraine, alongside work on the UK and US relationships.
County pairings initiative
Announced in January 2026, each county is paired with an EU member state for outreach during the Presidency. Ambassadors visit schools, libraries, and community groups to deepen local European links.
| Irish county | EU member state |
|---|---|
| Carlow | Luxembourg |
| Cavan | Latvia |
| Clare | Croatia |
| Cork | France |
| Donegal | Poland |
| Dublin | Greece |
| Galway | Estonia |
| Kerry | Czechia |
| Kildare | Austria |
| Kilkenny | Romania |
| Laois | Malta |
| Leitrim | Cyprus |
| Limerick | Germany |
| Longford | Hungary |
| Louth | Portugal |
| Mayo | Netherlands |
| Meath | Italy |
| Monaghan | Finland |
| Offaly | Belgium |
| Roscommon | Slovenia |
| Sligo | Lithuania |
| Tipperary | Bulgaria |
| Waterford | Denmark |
| Westmeath | Sweden |
| Wexford | Slovakia |
| Wicklow | Spain |
Why this matters for the Dáil
EU directives and regulations often become Irish law through Bills debated and voted on in Dáil Éireann. When Ministers chair Council negotiations in Brussels, the laws they help shape can later require TD votes in Leinster House.
DáilDex tracks those votes, debates, and parliamentary questions once legislation reaches the Oireachtas. The Presidency explains where policy starts; the Dáil is where it lands for Irish citizens.