Ireland Begins Six Month EU Presidency

Wednesday, 1 July 2026 16:39

By Daniel Maher

Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

The official opening ceremony took place at Dublin Castle this afternoon

Today marks the beginning of Ireland's Presidency of the European Council.

The official opening ceremony took place at Dublin Castle this afternoon, ahead of the first major gathering of European leaders and officials in Cork on Thursday and Friday.

Gardaí have been allocated €125million to police Ireland’s six-month EU Presidency.

The policing and security operation for the Presidency is the largest ever undertaken by the State.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, says the funding has already been used to purchase things such as patrol cars, motorcycles and a new fixed-wing aircraft:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the European Council were among those sitting front row at the opening ceremony of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin gave the opening statement, saying the Government will give ‘it's all’.

EU Council President Antonio Costa, says he believes much can be achieved during Ireland’s Presidency:

The Ukrainian President says EU countries need to clamp down on Russian owned companies operating within the bloc.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comments at the launch of Ireland's EU Presidency are being seen as a thinly veiled reference to the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick.

The Department of Enterprise is investigating whether the alumina made at the factory is ending up in Russian weapons.

The Foreign Affairs Minister says everything is in place to ensure Ireland has a safe and secure EU Presidency.

There have been concerns about Ireland's ability to protect EU leaders while they're here - something Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has said isn't an issue

Ursula von der Leyen is coming to Cork tomorrow as part of a busy first few days.