Minister Byrne meets with Secretary General of the Council of Europe

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (24 April) met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset. The Secretary General’s visit to Dublin comes ahead of the Council of Europe’s annual meeting of the Committee of Ministers as well as Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency.

The Minister and Secretary General had extensive discussions regarding the essential role of the Council of Europe, which is uniquely placed to protect human rights and the rule of law on the European continent, and to help Member States combat democratic backsliding in the context of a shifting geopolitical environment. The Minister said: “As a founding member of the Council of Europe, Ireland fully supports the Council in its mission to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe.”

Minister Byrne also stressed the significance of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as a core safeguard of the Good Friday Agreement, and that the Government is unwavering in its determination to maintain that protection. The Minister engaged the Secretary General on the ongoing work regarding the drafting of a political declaration on migration and the ECHR.

Minister Byrne commented: “Ireland is constructively engaging with other Member States and the Council of Europe Secretariat to achieve consensus around a political declaration fully consistent with the Convention. We are particularly committed to ensuring and safeguarding the independence of the European Court of Human Rights as this process advances.”

The Minister also assured Secretary General Berset of Ireland’s full support and readiness to work on strengthening the cooperation between the Council of Europe and the EU, ahead of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

ENDS

Press Office

24 April 2026