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On 1 July 2026, Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council. The Irish Presidency has set out an ambitious programme focused on competitiveness, values, and security, with transport featuring as a key enabler of economic growth, connectivity, and resilience. The Irish Presidency places a strong emphasis on strengthening Europe's competitiveness through investment, simplification and improved connectivity.

Ireland has made clear that an efficient transport network is essential to supporting the free movement of goods and people and to maintaining the EU's economic position globally. One of the Presidency's key transport priorities will be to begin interinstitutional negotiations on the next Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as part of the wider negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. The programme underlines the importance of continued investment in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). 

Building on the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy and the EU Ports Strategy, Ireland highlights the strategic importance of the maritime sector for economic growth, trade and energy security. The Presidency will support measures aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the maritime sector, modernising maritime education and training systems, and addressing persistent skills shortages.

Security and resilience are recurring themes across the transport agenda. Ireland intends to continue implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy. Particular attention will be given to strengthening the resilience of ports and critical transport infrastructure against organised crime, cyber threats and other security risks. In this context, the Presidency will host a ministerial meeting of the European Ports Alliance Public-Private Partnership, focusing on cooperation to combat drug trafficking and organised crime within European ports. The Irish Presidency has also committed to advancing negotiations on the proposed Regulation on Military Mobility.  On aviation, Ireland intends to support discussions on a new EU Aviation Strategy aimed at strengthening the long-term competitiveness and connectivity of the sector.

The Irish Presidency intends to advance the EU’s simplification agenda for transport, including key elements of the Automotive Package, through regulatory streamlining that supports competitiveness across the wider transport ecosystem.

Trade and economic security also feature strongly in the Presidency programme. Ireland has committed to supporting an ambitious trade policy agenda that strengthens relationships with reliable global partners while diversifying markets and supply chains. The Presidency emphasises the importance of supply chain resilience and will support initiatives designed to strengthen Europe's economic security through the promotion of resilient and diversified trade flows.

On climate and sustainability, Ireland will oversee discussions on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System, including maritime transport, while supporting the EU's engagement at the International Maritime Organization on the implementation of the IMO Net-Zero Framework.  Energy security is another central theme running through the programme. Ireland has committed to supporting measures that strengthen Europe's security of supply, accelerate the development of sustainable and affordable energy systems, and advance work on both the European Grids Package and the forthcoming Energy Security Package.

With competitiveness, connectivity, resilience and security at the centre of its programme, the Irish Presidency is expected to oversee a busy legislative agenda during the second half of 2026, with several initiatives carrying significant implications for Europe's transport, logistics and trade environment.