Vindicating European values
The Irish Presidency aims to vindicate the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights as laid down by article two of the Treaty on the European Union, the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Government identifies strengthening European values as an enabler for delivering progress under the other two priorities of competitiveness and security. It identifies member states’ shared values as “the bedrock which makes Europe a good place to live and work”.
“Now more than ever, the EU needs to defend and vindicate those values within Europe and globally,” the Government states.
During the Presidency, the Government aims to enhance EU support for Ukraine in defence against invasion by Russia. The Government says the provision of policial, military, and financial support for Ukraine will remain a priority. It also commits to prioritising sustaining pressure on Russia, including “robust sanctions”.
“The Irish Presidency will continue to call for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld,” the Government sates.
The Government also says it will work to further the EU as a “principled global actor” through support for multilateralism and the international legal order. It aims to do this through sustained support and engagement with the UN and wider multilateral system, democracy, the rule of law, and continued promotion of human rights including women’s rights, gender equality, and LGBTIQ+ rights.
The Government commits to promoting active engagement to deliver peace in the Middle East. In particular, it aims to resolve “the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians” and says it will reaffirm the EU’s commitment to the two-state solution.
“We will work to end the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the deteriorating situation in the West Bank,” the Government states. “We will support EU efforts towards peace, security, and stability in Lebanon and Syria, and in the conflict in the Gulf, which has had significant regional and global impacts.”
“We must defend and vindicate these values both within Europe and globally, and this parliament has a vital role to play.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD
The Government says it will “provide a platform for strategic discussion on the future of development cooperation” regarding poverty. It notes that the EU and its member states are the world’s largest provider of official development assistance (ODA). ODA is government aid to further economic development and welfare of developing countries.
The Government sates: “The impact on economic stability of geopolitical crises, including the situation in the Gulf, will require the EU’s attention. In particular, the outlook for food security in Africa and beyond will be an urgent focus.”
Enlargement
Enlargement is pinned as a “key expression of our values and as an investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity across Europe”. Specifically, the Government commits to working the completion of accession negotiation with Montenegro, and to making “substantial progress” in negotiations with Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine.
“We must defend and vindicate these values both within Europe and globally, and this parliament has a vital role to play.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD
The Government says it will promote the rule of law within the EU, across member states, and in candidate countries. It states: “At a time when our democratic values are being questioned, we will seek to strengthen the EU’s democratic resilience through support for initiatives such as the European Democracy Shield and the EU Strategy for Civil Society.”
Online safety
The Government is to further the strengthening of democratic resilience and protection of citizens online. It aims to cooperate on addressing disinformation, online criminality, and child safety in digital environments. In line with this, the Government sets an objective to drive effective application of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The DSA aims to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights and provide them with greater control online. It also requires platforms to minimise the risk of citizens being exposed to illegal and harmful content.
The Government identifies the protection and wellbeing of children as central to EU values. It says ensuring the online world is safe for children “is one of the key challenges of our time”. To strengthen online safety, particularly for children, the Government is to advocate for a decision from the EU on the digital age of majority.
The Government also aims to highlight the importance of “robust, privacy-preserving age verification measures”, and including children’s viewpoints on what makes a safe online space. Additionally, it sets an aim to prioritise work on legislation combatting child sexual abuse.
Protecting minorities
In line with the five union of equality strategies, the Presidency sets an objective to strengthen the EU’s approach to equality, social, inclusion, non-discrimination, and the protection of the rights of minorities. The Government also commits to advocating for the full participation of disabled people in social and economic life.
“We will work to support a socioeconomic model that emphasises societal resilience, inclusion, and cohesion, and will take forward initiatives on employment, supporting quality jobs within modern labour markets,” the Government sates.
When presenting the Presidency’s priorities to the European Parliament in July 2026, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Our shared values as detailed in the Treaties we all agreed, and based on the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are the foundation of our union.
“We must defend and vindicate these values both within Europe and globally, and this parliament has a vital role to play.”
