This edition presents Ibec’s campaign for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, ‘Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality’. The Irish Presidency takes place at a pivotal time for Ireland and for Europe, where our resilience continues to be tested. To help meet these challenges, Ibec has developed a series of six priority papers that provide a path toward creating a new pragmatic Europe. A flavour of each of these papers is provided in this edition of the Europe & Global Focus. Framing the context of this, we analyse the 2026 Commission Work Programme and assess the current Danish Presidency and incoming Cypriot Presidency. Our ongoing international work on the transatlantic relationship, at the OECD, and with our closest neighbour the UK is assessed. From our policy desks, we outline B9+ engagements on digital policy and outline Ibec work on the corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements. The edition includes contributions from our sectors Small Firms Association and Financial Services Ireland.

This edition includes:

Editorial – Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality

Ibec’s EU Presidency campaign

EU Affairs

• Unpacking the EU policy agenda for 2026
• Danish and Cypriot EU Presidencies
• Omnibus I: Progress on simplifying corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements

Global Trade & International Affairs

• Supporting the Transatlantic Relationship: BusinessEurope mission to Washington
• A new path for EU-UK economic relations
• Why the OECD’s Trade Vision Matters to Irish Business

Policy Desks

• B9+ Group calls for simplification of the EU’s digital rulebook
• European Commission’s Affordable Housing Action Plan 

Sectoral Highlights

• SME Assembly speech by Geraldine Magnier, Chairperson of the Small Firms Association
• Financial Services Ireland (FSI)/City of London Corporation Dialogue

Ibec Campaigns and Events

Download below:

Previous editions

Issue 29 - Summer Edition

Issue 28 - Spring Edition