Minister Byrne welcomes German Minister for Europe to Dublin

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has today (27 April) welcomed his German counterpart, Minister Gunther Krichbaum, to Dublin in advance of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, beginning on 1 July 2026.

The Ministers met at Iveagh House to discuss Germany and Ireland’s bilateral relationship and key files on the European agenda. Minister Byrne outlined preparations for Ireland’s EU Presidency and gained the German government’s perspective on current European issues.

Commenting on the visit, Minister Byrne said: “Ireland and Germany are close partners within the EU, and I know that Germany will be a vital partner for advancing a positive European agenda, during our EU Presidency. I very much valued the visit undertaken by my German counterpart, Minister Gunther Krichbaum, and the opportunity to gain the German government perspective, including on issues such as the EU’s long-term budget, improving European competitiveness, and driving simplification, as well as advancing enlargement and the rule of law across Europe.

The Ministers will today address a European Movement Ireland / Konrad Adenauer Stiftung event on the topic of Irish-German Perspectives on Europe’s Path Ahead. Minister Byrne and Minister Krichbaum will share their thoughts on the bilateral relationship in a European context and discuss recent political and economic developments within the EU.

The visit of the German Minister for European Affairs comes as part of a period of intensive engagement between the Irish and German governments. The Taoiseach visited Berlin on 16 April to meet Chancellor Merz, and the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Dublin, on 22 April.

ENDS

Press Office

27 April 2026