Ireland and the EU

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at a pivotal moment for Europe and the world.

• 847 million people are living in extreme poverty today.¹
• Global aid suffered its biggest ever annual collapse in 2025, falling by 23.1%. ²
• 676 million women and girls now live on the frontlines of conflict — the highest number ever recorded.3
• At the current rate of progress, it will take 134 years to achieve gender equality.⁴
• The richest 1% have gained US$33 trillion since 2015 — enough wealth to end global poverty multiple times over.⁵

The priorities outlined by the Irish Government for their term demonstrate a clear commitment to global solidarity and the promotion of international law. However, there is a real risk that the priorities that will get the most political attention, such as competitiveness and defence could undermine areas like aid and global solidarity.

Ireland’s Presidency is an opportunity to demonstrate what kind of actor both Ireland and the EU want to be in an increasingly volatile world. During Ireland’s Presidency, Member States and EU policymakers will determine how to spend about 1.8 trillion Euros over the next seven-year period. Ireland will play a significant role in its negotiation which will affect the future of millions of people inside and outside the EU. EU strategic interests – including on competitiveness, economic security and private sector investments – have become predominant over the EU’s treaty-based commitment to poverty eradication, sustainable development, human rights and democratic governance.

This Irish Presidency comes in this context. Will this European budget deliver on interdependence, solidarity, shared solutions to common problems or will it prioritise European isolation, self-interest and retreat from international commitments?