The last time Ireland chaired the Council of the EU, the bloc added 10 members in a single day. That was May 1, 2004, the “Big Bang” enlargement, and the European Commission’s office in Dublin still ranks that term among the country’s most successful. On July 1, 2026, Ireland took the chair again, and enlargement is back on its list.
The presidency runs to December 31. It is Ireland’s eighth, after 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2004 and 2013.
What 2004 left behind
The enlargement was not the only thing Dublin delivered that year. Member states reached unanimous agreement on a draft EU Constitution in June 2004, and Frontex was established. Earlier turns at the helm landed on turning points too: German reunification in 1990, the euro’s introduction in 1996, the banking union debate in 2013.
The 2026 programme
Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched the programme at Dublin Castle on June 10 and built it around three priorities: competitiveness, values and security. They “reflect our assessment of what Europe needs to do in the six months ahead,” he said, borrowing an Irish proverb, “Ní neart go cur le chéile,” strength through unity.
Enlargement sits alongside them. The Commission’s description names Ukraine and Moldova specifically and speaks of a merit-based approach. Another file is heavy: talks on the EU’s long-term budget for 2028-2034.
The workload is large. Ireland will chair about 180 Council working groups and host 22 informal ministerial meetings, two ministerial conferences and an informal summit of leaders in November. More than 250 other meetings and conferences are planned in Brussels, Luxembourg and Ireland. The term opens an 18-month trio presidency, with Lithuania next in January 2027 and Greece after that.
Candidates noticed the enlargement line at once. On the first day, Albanian President Bajram Begaj sent a message of congratulation, saying Albania was encouraged that enlargement remains among the presidency’s main priorities. He hoped Irish leadership would help move Albania’s own accession process forward.
Montenegro tests the pledge
By autumn, the clearest test was Montenegro. RFE/RL reported on October 20 that Ireland hoped to close the 12 chapters still open out of the 33 that Montenegro must complete, with Podgorica aiming to wrap up talks by year-end and join by 2028. Croatia, though, had tabled eight final demands, including compensation for Croatians held at the Morinj camp in 1991 and 1992 and settlements for 51 Croatian families in property disputes.
Diplomats told the outlet the goal looked unlikely to be met. A Lithuanian diplomat said that even Vilnius, which takes over in the first half of 2027, “will struggle to get the talks over the line now.” The summit conclusions still record the Council’s note of the Irish presidency’s intention to work toward provisional closure of the remaining chapters, conditional on Montenegro implementing the reforms.
Sources
- Ireland's EU Council Presidency 2026 (European Commission Representation in Ireland)
- Ireland assumes European Union Council presidency, President Begaj welcomes enlargement focus (RTSH)
- Ireland sets out three priorities for upcoming EU Presidency (IrishCentral)
- Wider Europe Briefing: Croatia Holds Up Montenegro, Georgia Slips Down EU Agenda (RFE/RL)
