Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed MEPs on Tuesday to present the priorities of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, summarised under the slogan “strength with unity”.
What Parliament is doing
The presentation to Members of the European Parliament took place as part of the institutional exchange between the Presidency and Parliament. In his remarks, Micheál Martin set out the Irish Presidency’s focus on enhancing EU competitiveness, values and security. The Presidency’s presentation to Parliament provides MEPs an opportunity to question and put forward their own priorities in response.
Why it matters
The themes outlined by the Taoiseach — competitiveness, values and security — indicate the areas the Irish Presidency intends to prioritise during its six-month term. Emphasising these themes signals the Presidency’s intended direction for Council work and the areas where it expects to engage with the European Parliament and member states.
What happens next
Following the exchange, the Irish Presidency will proceed with its agenda-setting across Council formations and in dialogue with the Parliament. Parliament may hold further debates, table questions or pursue its legislative and oversight work relevant to the Presidency’s stated priorities as the term progresses.
Source: European Parliament press release
