'Ireland must use Presidency to deliver for our farmers and fishers - Leitrim MEP

MEP Nina Carberry along with fellow Fine Gael MEPs Seán Kelly, Regina Doherty and Maria Walsh have submitted their proposals to the Government ahead of the development of Ireland’s priorities and policy programme for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union this year and "are urging the Government to place citizens at the heart of this year's Presidency through a nationwide programme of events demonstrating the tangible benefits of EU membership."

Among the proposals is a push to ensure farmers and coastal communities have a Presidency that delivers for them. "This means adequate incomes, less bureaucracy and red tape, more export opportunities and a level playing field across the Single Market. We see from the new CAP proposals, and last weeks' disappointing decision on 2026 fish quotas, that we face significant challenges at EU level. Ireland must use its Presidency effectively to deliver for our farmers and fishers," said MEP Seán Kelly.

Ireland will assume the Presidency from July – a critical time when much policy is due to be finalised at EU level. Negotiations on the EU's next seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework, will be in the final stages, while various strategic initiatives concerning competitiveness and capital markets and the rapidly-evolving geopolitical environment are set to dominate the agenda.

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“Ireland will take up the Presidency at a time when Europe faces huge challenges but also huge opportunities. Above all, competitiveness must be the guiding theme. If Europe wants to deliver jobs, growth and security for its citizens, we must lower energy costs, cut red tape, deepen our single market, and unlock investment across the Union”, said Kelly, MEP and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament.

In their submission, the MEPs said that competitiveness should be the "central high-level priority for Ireland’s Presidency, building on the recommendations of Mario Draghi’s landmark 2024 report on the future of European Competitiveness." They listed several key actions from the Draghi report that Ireland should seek to progress at European level during its Presidency, including lowering energy costs and accelerating the roll-out of critical infrastructure, reducing administrative burdens and over-regulation, strengthening the EU Single Market, breaking down barriers to investment, and championing an ambitious Savings and Investment Union.

“The EU has around €10 trillion sitting idle in low-yield accounts across the 27 Member States. Our Presidency offers Ireland a unique platform to drive progress on financial policy that will make it easier for citizens and SMEs to put this money to work and drive growth,” MEP Kelly stated.

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The MEPs stress that the Presidency must play a "central role in shaping a robust and well-resourced MFF for 2028–2034, ensuring continued support for agriculture, rural development, fisheries, research and cohesion." The delegation called on Ireland to prioritise the delivery of a substantial CAP budget, practical tools to strengthen farmers’ incomes and their competitiveness, progress on the EU’s Livestock Strategy and constructive leadership on the forthcoming Vision 2040 for Fisheries.

“Our farmers and coastal communities must see a Presidency that delivers for them,” MEP Kelly continued. “This means adequate incomes, less bureaucracy and red tape, more export opportunities, and a level playing field across the Single Market. We see from the new CAP proposals, and last weeks' disappointing decision on 2026 fish quotas, that we face significant challenges at EU level. Ireland must use its Presidency effectively to deliver for our farmers and fishers."