Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency: a conversation with Minister Thomas Byrne

What to expect ahead of the upcoming Irish presidency?

Time and location: 27 May 2026 13:30-14:30 Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 4th floor, 1210 Brussels
Format: Public, On the record, Livestreamed
Contact: Anastasiia Zaitseva

Speakers

Thomas Byrne

Minister for European Affairs and Defence, Government of Ireland

Agenda

Check-in and lunch

13:00-13:30

Agenda

Conversation

13:30-14:15

Guntram B. Wolff, Bruegel Senior Fellow
Thomas Byrne, Minister for European Affairs and Defence, Government of Ireland

Agenda

Q&A

14:15-14:30

This event discussed Ireland’s perspective on the EU ahead of its upcoming Presidency of the Council. Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, presented his views on the key issues facing the Union ahead of the Irish Presidency, running from 1 July to 31 December 2026. After his presentation, the Minister engaged in an open conversation with Guntram Wolff and the audience.