Public Consultation on Ireland’s 2026 Presidency
The Irish government opened submission for public consult on the priorities for the 2026 Presidency. The public consultation process will allow the government to gain a series of diverse perspectives from across Ireland to better understand what issues Irish citizens and residents want prioritised during the 2026 Presidency.
Deadline: The period for public consultation closes 12 December 2025.
Why is There a Consultation?
Ireland to hold 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (the Council) from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This role will give Ireland on opportunity to shape the EU’s legislative agenda.
You now have a chance to request that animal welfare reforms are given a priority status.
The Council of the European Union
The Council is composed by national ministers and experts from every EU country. The Council serves as the legislative powerhouse of the EU: it negotiates laws, adopts the budget for the EU, develops the EU’s foreign and security policy, and coordinates Member State policies in specific fields. It is an especially dynamic and powerful EU institution.
The Presidency of the Council
The roles and powers of the President are derived from Article 15 of the Treaty on the European Union. The Presidency rotates among the 27 EU Member States every 6 months.
The President is responsible for preparing the Council for its meetings, chairing the meetings, and facilitating cooperation and cohesion within the Council. Following Council meetings, the Present will report to the European Parliament on the outcome of the meetings.
An incoming President will establish priorities and objectives for the Council to work on, including specific legislative and policy initiatives.
The Role of the EU and Animal Welfare
Through making a public consultation, you can tell the government that you want an update to animal welfare legislation to be a priority for the 2026 Presidency.
Animal welfare legislation is currently very fragmented across the EU’s 27 Member States. Modern, uniform animal welfare legislation in the EU would improve the lives of billions of animals, make compliance easier for farmers, and ensure fair competition across the EU.
We are all benefitted by better animal welfare standards. Food safety is enhanced, farming practices are modernised, and the EU is better able to keep up with its sustainability goals when welfare standards are strengthened.
There are other benefits that you might not expect.
For example, public health is also benefitted by stricter animal welfare legislation as intensive factory farming, the wildlife trade, and animal entertainment venues all contribute to the spread of zoonoses such as COVID-19, swine flu, and bird flu.
Improved animal welfare legislation benefits everyone – human and non-human animals alike – in the EU.
Make a submission to the public consultation today to tell the government that you want animal welfare legislation to be prioritised in 2026.
