Council Roundup: June 2025

Council meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg in June meant it was another busy month for Ireland in the EU.

On 5 June, Ministers met for the Transport Council, with Minster of State International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports Seán Canney representing Ireland. The Council reached agreement on its position on air passenger rights, and exchanged views on the EU’s roadworthiness package.

Find more information on the results of the Transport Council here.

On 6 June, Ambassador Moran attended the Telecommunications Council. Council approved conclusions on reliable and resilient connectivity, and held an exchange of views on satellite connectivity as a building block for strategic autonomy.

Find more information on the results of the Telecommunications Council here.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan visited Luxembourg to attend the Justice Council on 12 June. A discussion on harmonising insolvency law topped a busy agenda, after which Ministers agreed on key aspects of a draft law that will guarantee the rights of adults who need protection in cross border situations. Russia’s war against Ukraine, the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, and EU accession to the ECHR were also discussed.

Find more information on the results of the Justice Council here.

Minister O’Callaghan also represented Ireland at the Home Affairs Council the following day. Ministers reached a political agreement on extending temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine until March 2027. Together with his European counterparts, Minister O’Callaghan also received an update on the development of the EU’s border management and law enforcement IT infrastructure, and took part in a discussion centred on migration and strengthening readmission cooperation with non-EU countries.

Find more information on the results of the Home Affairs Council here.

Last week, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien met with his European colleagues at the Energy Council in Luxembourg. Together, they exchanged views on the REPowerEU roadmap, and adopted presidency conclusions on strengthening the Energy Union.

Find more information on the results of the Energy Council here.

Minister O’Brien also attended the Environment Council in Luxembourg. The Council adopted its position on the end-of-life vehicles regulation, and exchanged views on preparation for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held later this year.

Find more information on the results of the Environment Council here.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe attended the June Eurogroup meeting, in his capacity as President of the Eurogroup.

Ministers received a presentation from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, welcomed the Bulgarian Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor, and discussed budgetary developments in euro area members.

Find more information on the results of the Eurogroup here.

Minister Donohoe also represented Ireland at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Luxembourg. Alongside his European counterparts, the Minister received a presentation from the Polish Presidency on the progress achieved on the customs reform package. Ministers also discussed the European Semester, economic governance, competitiveness, and enlargement of the euro area.

Find more information on the results of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council here.

Ambassador Moran represented Ireland at the EPSCO (Social Policy) Council. On the agenda was the traineeships directive, a discussion on gender equality in the digital age, and the equal treatment directive. The Council also approved conclusions on ways to support older people in the labour market and society.

Find more information on the results of the Social Policy Council here.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill attended the EPSCO (Health) Council alongside her European colleagues. Among the topics discussed was the mental health of children and adolescents in the digital era, the critical medicines act, and EU measures on prevention, including reduction of tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Find more information on the results of the Health Council here.

Ministers also met in Luxembourg for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, with Minister of State with Special Responsibilities for Fisheries and for the Marine, Timmy Dooley, attending on Ireland’s behalf. On the agenda were trade-related agricultural issues, simplification in agriculture and sustainable fishing in the EU.

Find more information on the results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council here.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade Simon Harris attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Russian aggression against Ukraine topped the agenda, with Ministers also discussing China and European security, and the situation in the Middle East and Libya.

Find more information on the results of the Foreign Affairs Council here.

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne attended the General Affairs Council. Ministers prepared for the upcoming June European Council, approved a note on the integrated country-specific recommendations in the framework of the European Semester 2025, and held a discussion on the rule of law situation in Finland.

Find more information on the results of the General Affairs Council here.