Minister Byrne renews call for increased Irish representation in EU institutions

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has called for increased Irish representation in EU institutions, as Ireland looks ahead to taking on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

Minister Byrne today welcomed over 50 Irish Seconded National Experts (SNEs) back to Dublin for the annual SNE Return Conference at Iveagh House. The experts, who work across EU institutions including the European Commission, Council, and Parliament, gathered to share their experience of European policymaking with colleagues from across the Irish civil service.

This year's conference theme, "Shaping Ireland's EU Leadership: From Brussels Experience to Dublin Priorities," reflects the critical importance of these exchanges as Ireland prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency in July 2026.

In May 2021, Minister Byrne launched ‘A Career for EU’, the Irish Government’s strategy to increase Irish representation in the EU's institutions and agencies.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Byrne said: "One of Ireland's greatest strategic assets are our people. Seconded national experts from Ireland don't just observe European policymaking, they shape it from within the EU institutions. Ireland is actively preparing for our EU Council Presidency next year and in navigating an increasingly complex European landscape, we will come to rely on the valuable insights of our seconded national experts.

“The challenges facing Europe today, from restoring economic competitiveness to responding to security threats, require both institutional knowledge and national perspective. Our seconded national experts provide that crucial bridge. In working to deliver further positive results under our ‘A Career for EU’ strategy, I have been actively engaging with the EU institutions and agencies. We want to ensure that Irish citizens are adequately represented in the EU institutions into the future.”

The day-long conference featured panel discussions on key challenges facing Europe, including security and defence, economic competitiveness, and preparations for Ireland's eighth EU Presidency.

ENDS

Press Office

3 July 2025

• SNEs typically serve 2-4 year assignments in EU institutions while remaining civil servants of their home member state. They play crucial roles in policy development, bringing national perspectives to European decision-making while gaining invaluable experience of how the EU operates in practice.
• The conference was attended by SNEs from across EU institutions, senior officials from Irish government departments, and representatives from Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
• The conference supports the Government's Career for EU Strategy, which aims to significantly increase Irish participation in EU institutions. By 2030, Ireland targets having 50 Irish citizens secure posts at entry-level and above annually, while maintaining 50 Irish civil servants as Seconded National Experts across EU institutions each year.