Statement by Minister McEntee on deliberations in Brussels

At today’s meeting of EU ambassadors, Ireland reiterated its solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland, as well as with the six EU Member States that may now face increased tariffs from the United States. These tariffs are not compatible with the EU-US agreement, and they risk undermining the strength of our transatlantic relationship at a time when cooperation matters more than ever.

I will continue to work closely with our EU partners on the appropriate next steps. This will be a priority in the days ahead, and I very much welcome President Costa’s announcement that he will convene an extraordinary meeting of the European Council to address these developments.

At today’s meeting, Member States also discussed the US proposal to establish a Board of Peace.

Ireland has welcomed the role played by the United States, alongside Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in mediating to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza, and in advancing the implementation of Phase Two of the Gaza Peace Plan. We have consistently called on all parties to support these efforts and to honour the commitments they have made.

The Board of Peace now being proposed by the United States, however, would have a mandate wider than the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.

The United Nations has a unique mandate to maintain international peace and security, and the legitimacy to bring nations together to find common solutions to shared challenges. While it may be imperfect, the UN and the primacy of international law is more important now than ever. Ireland’s commitment to the UN and the primacy of the UN Charter is without question.

Ireland has received an invitation from the United States to participate in the proposed Board of Peace. We will need to give this careful consideration. In doing so, we will coordinate closely with our EU and wider European partners.

It is essential for attention to remain focused on Gaza and on the full implementation of Phase Two of the peace plan. This is central to achieving progress on the ground and to supporting a sustainable path forward.

ENDS

Press Office

18 January 2026