Ireland steps up EU Presidency outreach with Laois and Offaly visit
Minister Byrne meets students, business leaders and local authorities ahead of July start
28 February 2026 | đŸ“§Â editor@ipropertyradio.com
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has visited Laois and Offaly as part of a national outreach programme ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 July.
Ireland will hold the rotating Presidency for six months, during which it will guide negotiations, broker agreements between Member States and steer the EU legislative agenda.
The visit forms part of a series of engagements aimed at raising awareness of the Presidency and gathering public input as Government shapes its policy priorities for the term.
In Offaly, Minister Byrne met secondary-level students at ColĂ¡iste Choilm and Sacred Heart Catholic School. In Laois, he engaged with representatives from the Laois Chamber Alliance and Laois County Council. He also hosted a community event at the Europe Direct Centre in Portlaoise Library, outlining preparations for the Presidency and Ireland’s role in advancing the EU agenda.
The Minister highlighted career pathways within EU institutions and referenced the Government’s ‘A Career for EU’ strategy, which is intended to support greater Irish participation in European roles.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Byrne said he welcomed the opportunity to hear local perspectives as Ireland develops its Presidency agenda, which he said is intended to deliver for both Europe and Irish citizens.
The visit also coincides with the recently announced EU Presidency County Pairings initiative. Under this programme, Ambassadors of EU Member States to Ireland, accompanied by the Irish Ambassador in the corresponding Member State capital, will visit counties across Ireland between July and December 2026.
Each county has been paired with a specific EU Member State for the duration of the Presidency. Laois has been paired with Malta, while Offaly has been paired with Belgium.
Ireland last held the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013.
