european union · movement for workers

The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz along with their spouses at the G7 summit in France. The leaders began by reflecting on the summit so far, and welcomed the peace deal struck between the US and Iran. Turning to the close relationship between the UK and Europe, the leaders discussed the UK’s ambition to get closer to the EU. The Prime Minister said he believed good progress had been made, but there was more to be done to benefit people both in the UK and Europe. The Prim…

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (16 June) represent Ireland at the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg. This will be the last EU General Affairs Council meeting under Cyprus’ EU Presidency, before Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on 1 July. On the agenda, Ministers will have a key discussion on the EU’s next long-term budget 2028-34, known as the Multiannual Fin…

Montenegro today closed two additional negotiating chapters at the Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, bringing the total number of closed chapters in the accession process to sixteen. On this occasion, Prime MinisterMilojko Spajićaddressed representatives of the EU Member States attending the Intergovernmental Conference. The Prime Minister stressed that each chapter closure represents tangible proof that enlargement works when commitment, reforms, and political will come together. F…

Montenegro has made significant progress both domestically and on its path towards Europe. These reform efforts must be recognised and rewarded. For us, Europe is stronger, safer and more prosperous when a country like Montenegro joins the European Union. Of course, all conditions must be met, but we are very positive that you will be able to conclude the negotiations in the coming months. We would be very pleased to see Montenegro as the 28th Member State of the European Union in 2028, said Pri…

From:Department of Education and Youth Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton will visit the European Parliament to meet with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During the visit, the Minister will discuss Ireland’s priorities in education and youth policy, including enhanced cooperation under the European Education Area Strategy and the future development of key EU initiatives. Speaking in advance of the …

What is happening today - the opening of the first cluster in the negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova - is a clear signal that the progress of Europe cannot be stopped. We have worked hard to get to this point. In recent years, Ukraine and Moldova have taken important steps together. And it is especially symbolic that today I am addressing you from Chisinau on my way to France, for the G7 summit. Our neighborly relations with Moldova are strong. We support each other and move to…

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, will today (15 June) travel to Luxembourg for the final meeting of EU Foreign Ministers before Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The meeting comes at a significant moment for Ireland, with the Government preparing to lead the EU agenda over the next six months. Discussions will focus on the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine, EU-China relations a…

At the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, held today in Brussels,Chapter 21 – Trans-European Networkswas provisionally closed, marking the 14th chapter closed in the accession process and the 11th since Montenegro received a positiveIBARfor chapters related to the rule of law. The Government delegation at the Intergovernmental Conference was led by Prime MinisterMilojko Spajić, who emphasized that trans-European networks enable stronger connections between people, economies, opportunit…

Montenegro to close two more negotiating chapters tomorrow Prime MinisterMilojko Spajićwill lead the Government of Montenegro delegation at the Intergovernmental Conference to be held tomorrow (15 June) in Luxembourg, where Montenegro will close two additional negotiating chapters in its accession negotiations with the European Union. The chapters to be closed are Chapter 2 – Freedom of Movement for Workers and Chapter 28 – Consumer and Health Protection. Following the Intergovernmental Confe…

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (15 June) welcomed the progress made for EU candidate countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro on EU accession. Minister Byrne represented Ireland at the 2nd Intergovernmental Conferences, which saw the opening of Cluster 1 on Fundamentals, with Ukraine and Moldova. Welcoming the breakthrough, Minister Byrne said: “EU enlargement is an investment in our European future. T…

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today (15 June) attended a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg. Ministers discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, China and regional security. The Minister also attended the 11th EU-Egypt Association Council. Speaking after the meeting, Minister McEntee welcomed High Representative Kaja Kallas's announcement that she will ask the European Commission to bring forward proposals for re…

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, delivered the opening remarks at the Annual Lecture of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation and Dublin City University’s Brexit Institute today (15 June) in Iveagh House. The theme of the event was on “10 years on from the Brexit referendum: The Future of Ireland in Europe”. EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and former European Com…

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD is today representing Ireland at the Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) meeting of European Union (EU) health ministers in Luxembourg. This will be the final EPSCO meeting under the Cyprus Presidency before the Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates to Ireland from 1 July - 31 December 2026, when Minister Carroll MacNeill will then chair future Council meetings and represent the Council in its in…