Marking One Year to Ireland's EU Presidency: A Look Ahead - Speech by Tánaiste Simon Harris

Iveagh House, 1 July 2025

Check against delivery

Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends.

Before I begin, let me take a moment to congratulate Chargé Artur Michalski and our Polish friends on concluding an exceptional Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Poland's steadfast leadership during these challenging times has been greatly appreciated.

At the same time, I want to acknowledge Ambassador Lars Thuesen and wish Denmark every success as they begin their Presidency today.

The torch passes, but our shared commitment to European unity remains constant.

I am pleased that the Ambassador will also share some thoughts later on Denmark’s Presidency priorities. I have every confidence in the success of the Danish Presidency.

And I know that over the next 12 months, Ireland – and all Member States – will benefit from the capable steering of the Danish Presidency and, of course, the Cypriot Presidency which will follow in the first half of next year. I’m looking forward to both.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today marks exactly one year until Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time.

I believe that this is an appropriate moment for us to reflect on, to prepare for, and to anticipate the opportunity that the rotating Presidency offers for Member States.

Reflecting on Our Presidency Journey

I want to begin by thinking about what EU Presidencies have meant to Ireland and, more fundamentally, what they mean to our citizens. Each of our seven previous Presidencies tells a story not just of Ireland's evolution, but of Europe's ongoing transformation.

Our early Presidencies in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, and 1996 marked Ireland's coming of age as a confident European nation.

Our two most recent Presidencies are, of course, also the Presidencies which I remember best.

In 2004, during our sixth Presidency, Ireland presided over the Day of Welcomes – the historic moment when ten new member states joined our Union. I see several ambassadors in this room from those countries who joined us that remarkable day.

I was seventeen years old then, watching as Europe expanded eastward, witnessing the fulfilment of the European promise of peace, freedom, and prosperity.

To the young people here today, I wonder: how do you see the European Union now? What does it represent for your generation in this rapidly changing world?

Then came 2013 – our seventh Presidency. Ireland stepped up during the immediate aftermath of the economic and financial crisis, determined to prove ourselves and our role in Europe.

I was a relatively new TD then, witnessing firsthand how Ireland used that Presidency to demonstrate our resilience, our competence, and our unwavering commitment to the European project even in this exceptionally difficult period.

Now, thirteen years later, we approach 2026 not as a nation seeking to prove itself, but as a confident European partner.

We see 2026 as an exceptional opportunity – an opportunity, as we have always done in our Presidencies, to lead as an honest broker to bring forward the Union’s shared policy agenda in the best interests of our citizens.

It is also an opportunity to shape Ireland's message to our EU partners and to the wider world; to influence how the EU engages globally; and crucially, to speak to the Irish people about the EU at a time when populism challenges the very foundations of our democratic project.

It was Europe that helped defend Ireland’s interests during Brexit, Europe that provided a lifeline when financing our state ourselves was not possible, Europe that helped modernise our infrastructure and our economy via structural funds, that championed social issues and inclusion when our own society would not, and offered opportunities for our nation to grow when it was not anywhere near as wealthy as it is today.

Europe is threatened today, and Ireland must respond to those threats. We must do so consistent with our history and our values of neutrality, but we must respond.

Political opponents like to caricature a response to oncoming threats to Europe by discussing NATO membership or European armies.

These are the simple, polarising arguments of undergraduate seminars from decades ago.

They do not engage with the reality of a continent under threat or the deeply interconnected nature of countries’ shared economic and social interests. They seek only to distract.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally altered the European security landscape.

We must say, do and spend more to ensure that Ukraine gets the support it needs now to defend its territory and engage in negotiations from a position of strength.

Ireland will continue to advocate for progress on Ukraine's EU accession path both now and during our Presidency. EU membership is an important guarantee for Ukraine's future security and stability, and is in our own strategic interest.

Beyond Ukraine, the Middle East continues to demand our attention.

I welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and call on both sides to commit fully to it and return to diplomacy.

We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where we are continuing to witness appalling scenes. We need an urgent end to hostilities and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into and throughout Gaza at scale.

We also continue to urge all parties to return to talks aimed at immediately agreeing a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Ireland's recognition of Palestine reflects our commitment to a two-state solution and our belief that lasting peace requires justice for both peoples.

These conflicts underscore that EU Member States are faced with a range of acute and growing threats and challenges.

We are in a different world. We must find mechanisms to address this fact domestically whilst respecting our sovereignty and military neutrality. Make no mistake, we are not neutral politically.

We stand with those invaded and brutalised, with Ukraine and with Palestine, and we will continue to help.

But it is clear the nature of our help to those abroad must change, as it is clear our approach to the defence of our country must change.

We meet here today while Europe is in the midst of trade negotiations that will fundamentally alter the Union’s relationship with the United States.

We remain hopeful of a deal but whatever the outcome, it is clear tariffs will remain a feature of the geopolitical trading arrangements.

Europe has stood tall together and this has been essential in ensuring we get the best possible outcome.

But there is nobody standing here today that can predict what will happen next week with certainty.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we look around in 2025 - and look ahead to 2026 – it is only fair to say that the challenges can feel overwhelming. But we can’t allow ourselves to be overwhelmed.

We must remain positive.

This is the way forward – not retreat, not isolationism, but deeper engagement and stronger cooperation. And always open channels of communication – internally and externally.

We look forward to welcoming colleagues and friends from across Europe to Ireland in 2026.

We plan to host an extensive programme of meetings and events here in Ireland during our Presidency term, including a meeting of the European Political Community, an informal meeting of the European Council, and up to 22 informal meetings of EU Ministers.

These high-level events will be part of an overall programme of more than 250 Presidency events in Ireland.

Across Government, extensive planning is underway for our Presidency.

The foundation of Ireland’s eighth Presidency next year will be built on genuine consultation and engagement. And all of you here will play a role in that.

Over the next twelve months, I am really looking forward to developing Ireland’s Presidency priorities.

We will be guided by the need to be as prepared as possible while also knowing that the defining feature of our Presidency may be something nobody can predict right now.

We will prepare for the unexpected – but we will also be preparing to play our part in shaping the Union’s response to the challenges of today – whether that be in relation to our values, our competitiveness or our security.

For my part, I commit to really listening. I commit to maximising this crucial year between now and 1 July 2026.

Domestic stakeholder engagement will be central to our approach and from the autumn, my colleagues and I will undertake consultations across a range of sectors on our policy priorities.

As Minister for European Affairs, Minister Byrne will play a key role in this and I know he will also talk about his plans.

I want to emphasise this afternoon that this Presidency belongs to all of Ireland – not just to Government, but to our businesses, our civil society, our communities, and especially our young people.

It is particularly important to me that our Presidency is relevant to the youth of Ireland and to their needs.

Their voices, their concerns, their aspirations must be at the heart of our Presidency.

We want youth voices to help us design our Presidency and we want it to be relevant to you.

I am particularly pleased to welcome this morning representatives from a number of Comhairle na nÓg groups from around the country – thanks for taking time in your summer holidays to be with us today.

I also want to acknowledge the invaluable role that all of you in this room play in making the EU work and in ensuring that the EU is understood in Ireland.

Whether you represent member state governments, international organisations, academia or think tanks, industry, or civil society, your contributions are deeply valued.

The European project succeeds because of this network of engagement, expertise, and commitment, which all of you represent.

We’re looking forward to engaging with all of you over the next year.

The Countdown Begins

Today begins our countdown to 1 July 2026 – and the start of our six months in office. I am personally excited not just for the six months of our Presidency itself, but for the period that follows – for the lasting impact we can have on Europe's trajectory.

The new European Commission is now in office, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives.

We will work closely with them and with all our EU partners to advance our shared agenda.

The Danish Presidency that begins today will lay important groundwork and make essential progress on initiatives that Cyprus – and then Ireland will bring forward.

Ambassador Thuesen – Again, I’m looking forward to hearing the Danish vision for the next semester shortly.

A Personal Commitment

Friends, colleagues,

As we stand here today, exactly one year from the assumption of our eighth Presidency, I want to make a personal commitment.

Ireland will bring to this role our characteristic blend of ambition and pragmatism, our deep commitment to European values, and our determination to make Europe work for all its citizens.

In a year’s time, we will seek to be a Presidency that bridges divides, that finds common ground, that remembers why we came together in the first place – to create a continent where peace, freedom, and prosperity are not privileges for the few, but rights for all.

We have 365 days to prepare. We have the experience, the expertise, and the enthusiasm to deliver.

Most importantly, we have partners like you who share our vision of a Europe that remains true to its values while adapting to meet the challenges of now.

The countdown begins today. Let us make the most of every single day. And as Denmark begins its Presidency today, we wish them every success in their important work over the coming six months.

Go raibh maith agaibh.