EU Presidency
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-21
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

I think it is doable but it is extremely ambitious. For the Council of the European Union to reach an agreement at a relatively early stage, in other words, by the end of this year, provides a degree of certainty in a world that is craving certainty. There is a real premium on trying to reach agreement because there is so much uncertainty in the world right now. It is not inevitable that that will happen. The Deputy is right that the process is tedious in its various parts. It ultimately becomes a matter for the President of the European Council, President Costa, to seek that consensus or agreement among European member states. The Taoiseach, who is very experienced in his area, will represent our country at that, and I know it will be a priority for him as well. Ireland certainly will not be found wanting. Obviously, there are elections in different member states, and although I will not comment on them, they will have an effect. There has been a change of government in some member states, or there is due to be very shortly.
We have outlined our own priorities. As a significant net contributor to the EU budget, as the Deputy pointed out, but which is often forgotten by others, it is right and proper that our voice is heard. We have outlined the areas that we want to see a real focus on.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-21