Irish Council Presidency includes a focus on security and migration

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Under the slogan “Ní neart go cur le chéile - Strength with unity”, the Irish Presidency will focus on three core priorities:  

• Competitiveness  
• Values  
• Security  

Migration and Home Affairs Priorities  

Under the Security chapter, during its Presidency, Ireland will focus on the EU’s internal security by advancing measure to facilitate cross-border cooperation in the fight against organised crime, including migrant smuggling and the trafficking of firearms.  

The Irish Presidency will support closer cooperation to disrupt the financing models of organised crime, reinforce the resilience and security of Europe’s ports and critical infrastructure, and improve operational action against transnational criminal networks.  

Ireland will also  focus on the full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, while progressing measures to facilitate migrant returns, including the digitalisation of return systems.  

Find out more  

Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026