Will Hydrogen plans feature in the next Irish Council Presidency?

Ireland is set to take on a key leadership role in shaping European policy as it prepares to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The Presidency, which rotates among EU member states every six months, gives each country the opportunity to guide discussions, set priorities, and coordinate work across the Council as new legislation and initiatives are developed. 2026 will mark Ireland’s eighth time holding the Presidency, underscoring its active engagement with the European Union and its role in advancing cooperation among the EU.

 As Ireland prepares for the presidency, industry groups have called on the Government to use the Presidency to advance EU competitiveness and economic growth. Recent data from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, presented in the RTE (Raidió Teilifís Éireann) article published in January, reflects broader trends in Irish economic activity that will feature in discussions at home and in Europe during Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency. The recent report emphasised the importance of strengthening Europe’s financial and investment environment to support housing supply, infrastructure development, and business expansion, while also highlighting the need for coordinated EU-level action to improve access to finance, support investment, and enhance competitiveness across EU member states. These priorities are expected to form part of the broader economic discussions during Ireland’s EU Presidency. 

Ireland’s Presidency priorities are still being developed, shaped by the EU’s 2024 to 2029 Strategic Agenda, the European Commission’s legislative plans, government priorities, and the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the Presidencies of Denmark and Cyprus. According to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the full official calendar of meetings and events for Ireland’s EU Presidency will be published in June 2026, with the launch of the dedicated Presidency website in Irish, English, and French.

We expect the Irish Presidency to build on the foundations laid by Cyprus, Poland, and Denmark, and connect to the 2027 Lithuanian presidency, further advancing key hydrogen-related priorities. This could include progress on deregulation and the acceleration of permitting procedures for hydrogen production, storage and infrastructure, as well as continued engagement with the EU Military Mobility Package. Attention is also likely to focus on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028 to 2034, ensuring adequate funding for hydrogen applications across Member States. In addition, themes such as energy security, grid resilience in support of strategic autonomy, and the strengthening of industrial policy and competitiveness are expected to remain central.