The Business Ambition for Ireland's Presidency
With Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July, we are entering a pivotal moment for our country and for Europe. A decade defined by disruption has shown that competitiveness and resilience are now inseparable. Europe’s resilience continues to be tested by war on its borders, energy, and growing geopolitical fragmentation.
To help meet these challenges, Ibec is driving the campaign Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality: The Business Ambition for Ireland’s EU Presidency. We have developed six priority papers that provide a path toward creating a new pragmatic Europe, focusing on Trade and Investment, the Single Market and Simplification, Labour Market and Social Policy, Enterprise and Economy, Digital and AI, and Security and Defence.
Since launching our campaign in Brussels earlier this year, Ibec has been actively engaging with EU and national leaders, most recently hosting the BusinessEurope Council of Presidents in Dublin this May and engaging with various European Commissioners.
What the Government Programme means for Business
The official Government programme has now been published, and you can find a link to it here.
The programme reflects a strong alignment with Ibec’s core themes for the term: Competitiveness, Security, and Values. Through our sustained advocacy, we have already secured vital wins for the business community, including clear commitments to regulatory simplification and an emphasis on market diversification across Latin America, Asia, and the US.
Ireland's EU Presidency: A simple guide for business
During Ireland’s EU Presidency, beginning on 1 July, Irish Ministers will be responsible for chairing meetings of the European Council, steering the EU’s legislative and policy agenda, and Ireland will host a wide range of high-level EU meetings for the six month term.
For a clear overview of how the EU Presidency works and what it means for you, download Ireland’s EU Presidency: A Simple Guide for Business. It explains what the Presidency is, identifies the opportunities and outlines what Ibec is doing to maximise this milestone year for the Irish business community.
Trade and Investment
Trade and investment: Strengthening relationships, maximising opportunities
Effective strategic autonomy must include a commitment to openness. Open, rulesbased and digital trade are key to competitive, resilient and sustainable Irish and European economies.
Learn moreSingle Market and Simplification: Turning Ambition Into Action
The Single Market is one of the EU’s most valuable assets. Evidence-based, impact-assessed and future-proof legislation is the cornerstone of a properly functioning Single Market.
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Labour market and social policy: Skills, innovation and EU added value
A resilient, innovative, and competitive economy is the prerequisite for a prosperous and inclusive social Europe.
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Enterprise and economy: Create the conditions for competitiveness
To attract essential private investment, the Presidency must focus on maintaining a globally competitive tax position, addressing market fragmentation, and delivering critical infrastructure across clean energy, transport, and housing.
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Security and Defence: Pillars of a Resilient Europe
Security and defence are central to Europe’s capacity to prosper. As part of Ibec’s campaign, Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality, this paper positions security within a broader framework of resilience—the essential foundation for long-term competitiveness.
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Digital and AI: Simplification, adoption and innovation
At the mid-point of the EU’s ‘Digital Decade’ and this legislative cycle, the Irish Presidency provides an opportunity for the EU and its Member States to engage with business to deliver shared digitalisation ambitions.At the mid-point of the EU’s ‘Digital Decade’ and this legislative cycle, the Irish Presidency provides an opportunity for the EU and its Member States to engage with business to deliver shared digitalisation ambitions.
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The Business Ambition for Ireland's Presidency
Fergal O’Brien and Pat Ivory provide an overview of our new campaign: “Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality”