Irish minister says Ireland well placed to chair EU budget negotiations during its EU presidency

Ireland, currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, is navigating a densely packed agenda as it seeks to shape the bloc’s policy direction for the coming months. In Strasbourg, Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne attended the 2026 State of the Union speech and subsequent debate led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, using the platform to outline Ireland’s priorities and to coordinate forthcoming initiatives under its presidency.

Among the proposals highlighted by Byrne was a EU‑wide ban on social‑media access for children, a measure the Irish government intends to champion during its term. The minister emphasized the need for a coordinated regulatory framework to protect minors online, citing rising concerns over digital wellbeing. By positioning the ban at the forefront of its agenda, Ireland aims to drive consensus among member states and advance the Commission’s broader digital policy objectives before the presidency concludes.