Minister Foley to host EU Ministers in Tralee, Co Kerry
- Published on: 19 May 2026
- Last updated on: 19 May 2026
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, will chair an Informal Meeting of EU Ministers in Tralee, Co. Kerry, this November, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The meeting will bring together EU Ministers responsible for Equality and Disability, along with leaders from the European Commission, EU Agencies and EU civil society organisations.
Hosting the meeting in the Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry campus in Tralee marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in 22 years that the Irish Presidency will host an informal meeting of EU Ministers in Co. Kerry.
The informal meeting in MTU Kerry will provide an opportunity for Ministers to discuss shared priorities at EU level. Discussions will focus on the equality of opportunity for women and girls and will also have a strong focus on advancing the rights of disabled people, building on the MTU Kerry expertise as the location of UNESCO Chair on Transforming the Lives of Persons with Disabilities. There will be a programme of events to facilitate visits through the county for the EU Ministers and their delegations.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to host this important informal meeting of EU Ministers in Tralee, hosted in Munster Technological University Kerry, as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency. It is significant that, for the first time in 22 years, Ministers from across Europe will come together in the Kingdom of Kerry.
We are in a time of enormous change. Europe is a key part of our future and I am committed to ensuring it is a fair future.
We will have a conversation about ways in which we can shape a Europe that can deliver real progress for women and girls, advance disability rights, and ensure that everyone can participate fully in society. I look forward to welcoming my EU counterparts to Kerry this November and to working together to drive meaningful change.”
ENDS//