From:Department of the Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today, 28 July 2026, meet the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, in Dublin.

They will discuss some of the biggest issues on the EU’s agenda during Ireland’s Presidency including the EU’s next long-term budget, competitiveness, and enlargement.

Speaking ahead of the meeting the Taoiseach said:

“I look forward to welcoming the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, to Dublin today.

“I will express the solidarity of the Irish people with the victims of the horrific attack on the Pride parade in Berlin at the weekend. The European Union is a community of values, chief among them respect for human dignity and equality and the rights of minorities. What happened in Berlin goes against everything that we stand for and we must never accept, normalise or tolerate it.

“The European Union has a full and busy agenda ahead of it in the coming months, and I look forward to discussing some of the biggest challenges with the Chancellor.

“We need negotiations on the European Union’s next long-term budget to reach agreement as soon as possible. I will be listening carefully to the Chancellor’s position and discussing with him how we can reach the necessary compromises.

“We will also discuss strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, including the work the Irish Presidency is doing to simplify rules, deepen the single market, widen trading links, address energy costs and make sure we are ready for the climate and digital transitions.

“Enlargement is a priority issue for the Irish Presidency, and I will discuss with the Chancellor how we can make further progress in the period ahead.”