Yet the Government, to its great credit, has largely tried to be resolute in its defence of European values. Ireland's EU presidencyBut the year ahead will test Ireland’s commitment to these values like never before. Ireland takes over the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) for the eighth time on July 1. Our EU presidency priorities are currently being finalised but must align with the EU’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-29 which places European values at the heart of the European project. Ireland’s dramatic values U-turn regarding the ECHR is all the more puzzling as our diplomats work tirelessly to secure a seat for Ireland on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2027 to 2029 term.

Source: Irish Examiner January 07, 2026 01:14 UTC