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Ireland’s Presidency of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2013: Priorities and challenges

Keynote speaker: Lucinda Creighton TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs and Mr Staffan Nilsson, President European Economic Social Committee (EESC).

On 1 January 2013 Ireland will assume the Presidency of the European Council for a six month term.

The EU Presidency will be crucial in demonstrating Ireland’s ability to effectively manage the EU agenda in challenging and difficult times. It will also provide an opportunity for Ireland to enhance our reputation both with our European partners and internationally at a time when the country and the European economy generally  is facing significant economic challenges.

On Wednesday, 18th April 2012, the Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD will be the keynote speaker at a special joint Public Affairs Ireland and European Movement Ireland conference on the Irish EU Presidency 2013. Minister Creighton will outline some of Ireland’s priorities for the EU Presidency and will be joined by other speakers with unique perspectives on the matter including the President of the influential European Economic Social Committee (EESC), Staffan Nilsson. Mr. Nilsson will look at developments at an EU level and their likely impact on the Irish Presidency.

The Presidency will have direct implications for officials working in the various government departments and agencies in addition to non public service bodies that have close EU involvement – speakers will examine what will be the impact on the public service of the Presidency and how the main policy and logistical challenges can be addressed.  Other speakers will examine some of the institutional, legal and economic challenges that will set the context for the Irish Presidency.

This conference is well timed as preparations are already underway at political and official levels to facilitate the Presidency. From mid-year Irish Ministers and officials will be involved in Presidency briefings before the Council of Ministers and Working Party meetings to ensure a smooth transition from Presidency to Presidency. In addition, the Presidency ‘trio’ (Greece, Ireland and Lithuania) 18-month work programme is already being prepared with Irish inputs.

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