(AGENPARL) - Roma, 1 Luglio 2026 - La presidenza irlandese inizia con una cerimonia di apertura al Castello di Dublino.

Il Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, il Tánaiste Simon Harris, il Ministro Helen McEntee, il Ministro Seán Canney e il Ministro Thomas Byrne, insieme agli ospiti invitati, hanno accolto oggi al Castello di Dublino l’inizio ufficiale della Presidenza irlandese del Consiglio dell’Unione europea.
 
L’Irlanda subentra a Cipro nella Presidenza e la cederà alla Lituania il 1° gennaio 2027. 
 
Il Taoiseach ha dichiarato: “Per oltre 50 anni, la nostra appartenenza all’UE ha dato la sua migliore espressione alla nostra identità europea.
 
È stata un’esperienza trasformativa per l’Irlanda e, insieme ai nostri partner, abbiamo costruito un luogo che siamo orgogliosi di chiamare casa. Oggi, con l’apertura della nostra ottava Presidenza, ci impegniamo a lavorare ogni singolo giorno dei nostri sei mesi per rendere l’Europa un posto migliore per i suoi cittadini.
 
Ricoprire la Presidenza è un onore e una responsabilità e siamo pronti a dare il massimo”.
 
Il Tánaiste ha dichiarato: “La sfida per l’Europa oggi è garantire che la nostra economia rimanga una fonte di prosperità e opportunità per i nostri cittadini, poiché la vera misura del successo dell’Europa non è la ricchezza che creiamo, ma le opportunità che creiamo per i nostri cittadini. 

È con questo spirito di determinazione, positività e impegno che guardiamo ai prossimi sei mesi e riflettiamo sul motivo per cui l’UE si è unita in primo luogo: per creare un continente in cui pace, libertà e prosperità non siano privilegi per pochi, ma diritti per tutti.

Il Ministro McEntee ha dichiarato: “Oggi si conclude un periodo di preparazione da parte di tutto il Governo, con l’Irlanda che assume per l’ottava volta la Presidenza del Consiglio dell’Unione europea. È un onore e una responsabilità che giunge in un momento cruciale per l’Europa.

Assumiamo la Presidenza in un periodo di significativi cambiamenti geopolitici. L’Europa si trova ad affrontare sfide importanti, ma anche concrete opportunità per rafforzare la nostra economia, accrescere la nostra resilienza e plasmare un futuro più sicuro e prospero. Affrontare queste sfide e cogliere queste opportunità richiederà cooperazione, partenariato e un senso di scopo condiviso in tutta l’Unione europea.
 
Durante la nostra Presidenza, l’Irlanda collaborerà con i nostri partner europei per rafforzare la nostra economia, migliorare la nostra sicurezza e sostenere i valori che definiscono la nostra Unione. La dignità umana, la democrazia, la libertà, l’uguaglianza, lo Stato di diritto e il rispetto dei diritti umani non sono ideali astratti; sono il fondamento di un’Europa pacifica, prospera e sicura.
 
L’Irlanda si impegnerà a costruire il consenso e a fornire risultati concreti per i cittadini, contribuendo a garantire che l’Europa sia più forte, più competitiva e meglio attrezzata per affrontare le sfide del futuro.”
 
Il Ministro Canney ha dichiarato: “Ministri e funzionari di tutto il Governo si sono preparati per gli eventi odierni per un periodo di tempo considerevole. Ciò include l’attuazione dell’impegno assunto nel Programma di Governo per gli incontri della Presidenza, che si terranno in città e contee di tutta l’Irlanda, garantendo che l’intero Paese benefici della visibilità che la Presidenza apporta.

Nei prossimi sei mesi, concentrandoci sulle nostre priorità fondamentali di competitività, valori e sicurezza, possiamo dare un contributo reale e importante al futuro dell’UE, un’Unione che ha dato così tanto all’Irlanda nei 53 anni della sua appartenenza”.
 
Il Ministro Byrne ha dichiarato: “Il 1° luglio è un giorno di grande orgoglio per l’Irlanda, poiché assumiamo la presidenza di turno dell’UE. Un aspetto significativo della presidenza irlandese dell’UE del 2026 è che si tratta della prima da quando l’irlandese è diventato una lingua di lavoro a pieno titolo dell’UE nel gennaio 2022. Siamo orgogliosi di promuovere l’uso dell’irlandese durante tutta la nostra presidenza, da Dublino a Bruxelles, nei lavori del Consiglio, nelle comunicazioni ufficiali e negli eventi culturali, incluso quello di oggi al Castello di Dublino. 
 
Durante la presidenza irlandese dell’UE, lavoreremo nello spirito di ‘ní neart go cur le chéile’ – forza con unità. Lavoreremo insieme, con gli altri Stati membri dell’UE e con le comunità di tutta l’Irlanda, per realizzare un’Europa più sicura e competitiva, a beneficio dei nostri cittadini”.
 
La cerimonia di apertura ha incluso una cerimonia dell’alzabandiera guidata dalle Forze di Difesa. L’inno nazionale “Amhrán na bhFiann” è stato eseguito dalla banda delle Forze di Difesa e dal Coro Giovanile di Dublino. Hanno anche eseguito l’inno dell’UE, ”  Ode alla Gioia” , in ucraino, irlandese, inglese e tedesco. La presentatrice Carrie Crowley ha introdotto le esibizioni culturali che includevano:
 

• Summer Summer eseguita da Iarla Ó Lionáird, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley e Christina Polycarpou
• La marcia di O’Neill eseguita da Cormac Begley e Stephanie Keane
• Beacons at Bealtaine di Séamus Heaney, letto da Ruth Negga
• Dreams dei The Cranberries, interpretato da Tolu Makay con Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley e Christina Polycarpou

Irish Presidency begins with Opening Ceremony in Dublin Castle

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister Helen McEntee, Minister Seán Canney and Minister Thomas Byrne, together with invited guests, have welcomed the official beginning of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a ceremony in Dublin Castle today.
 
Ireland takes on the Presidency role from Cyprus and will pass the role onto Lithuania on 1 January 2027. 
 
The Taoiseach said: “For more than 50 years, our membership of the EU has given our European identity its finest expression.
 
It has been transformational for Ireland and, with our partners, we have built a place that we are proud to call home. Today, as we open our eighth Presidency, we are committed to working every single day of our six months to make Europe a better place for its people.
 
Holding the Presidency is an honour and a responsibility and we are ready to give it our all.”
 
The Tánaiste said: “The challenge for Europe today is to ensure our economy remains a source of prosperity and opportunity for our people – as the real measure of Europe’s success is not the wealth we create, but the opportunities we create for our citizens. 

It is with this spirit of purpose, positivity and determination that we look ahead to the next six months and reflect on why the EU came together in the first place – to create a continent where peace, freedom and prosperity are not privileges for the few, but rights for all.”

Minister McEntee said: “Today marks the culmination of years of preparation across Government as Ireland takes on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time. It is both an honour and a responsibility that comes at a defining moment for Europe.

We assume the Presidency at a time of significant geopolitical change. Europe faces serious challenges, but also real opportunities to strengthen our economy, build resilience and shape a more secure and prosperous future. Meeting those challenges and seizing those opportunities will require cooperation, partnership and a shared sense of purpose across the European Union.
 
Throughout our Presidency, Ireland will work with our European partners to strengthen our economy, enhance our security and uphold the values that define our Union. Human dignity, democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of a peaceful, prosperous and secure Europe.
 
Ireland will work to build consensus and deliver practical results for citizens, helping to ensure Europe is stronger, more competitive and better equipped to meet the challenges of the future.”
 
Minister Canney said: “Ministers and officials across Government have been building towards today’s events for a significant period of time. This includes implementing the commitment we made in the Programme for Government for Presidency meetings to take place in cities and counties across Ireland, ensuring the entire country benefits from the profile the Presidency brings.

Over the next six months, across our core priorities of competitiveness, values and security, we can make a real and important contribution to the future of the EU – a Union which has delivered so much for Ireland in over the 53 years of our membership.”
 
Minister Byrne said: “1 July is a proud day for Ireland, as we take on the leadership of the EU Presidency. A notable aspect of the 2026 Irish EU Presidency is that it is our first since Irish became a full working language of the EU in January 2022. We are proud to promote the use of Irish throughout our Presidency, from Dublin to Brussels, in Council business, official communications, and cultural events, including today in Dublin Castle. 
 
Throughout the Irish EU Presidency, we will work in the spirit of ‘ní neart go cur le chéile’ – strength with unity. We will work together, with our fellow EU member states and with communities across Ireland, to deliver a more secure, more competitive Europe, for the benefit of our people.”
 
The opening ceremony included a flag raising ceremony led by the Defence Forces. Amhrán na bhFiann was performed by the Defence Forces band and the Dublin Youth Choir. They also performed the EU anthem, Ode to Joy, in Ukrainian, Irish, English and German. MC Carrie Crowley introduced cultural performances that included:
 

• Samhradh Samhradh performed by Iarla Ó Lionáird, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley and Christina Polycarpou
• O’Neill’s March performed by Cormac Begley and Stephanie Keane
• Beacons at Bealtaine by Séamus Heaney, read by Ruth Negga
• Dreams by The Cranberries, performed by Tolu Makay with Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley and Christina Polycarpou

*****

Tús curtha le hUachtaránacht na hÉireann i Searmanas Oscailte i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath

Chuir an Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, an Tánaiste Simon Harris, an tAire Helen McEntee, an tAire Seán Canney agus an tAire Thomas Byrne, mar aon le haíonna ar tugadh cuireadh dóibh, fáilte roimh thús oifigiúil Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh ag searmanas i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath inniu.

Glacfaidh Éire cúram na hUachtaránachta ón gCipir agus tabharfaidh sí an cúram sin ar láimh don Liotuáin an 1 Eanáir 2027. 

A ndúirt an Taoiseach: “Is í ár mballraíocht san Aontas Eorpach an léiriú is fearr atá againn ar ár bhféiniúlacht Eorpach le breis agus 50 bliain anuas. 

Tháinig claochlú ar Éirinn dá barr. In éineacht lenár gcomhpháirtithe, thógamar áit a bhfuilimid bródúil a rá gurb í ár n-áit féin í. Inniu, agus tús a chur againn lenár n-ochtú hUachtaránacht, táimid tiomanta oibriú gach lá dár dtréimhse sé mhí chun áit níos fearr a dhéanamh den Eoraip ar son a muintire.

Is onóir agus freagracht é an Uachtaránacht a ghlacadh orainn féin agus táimid réidh lenár seacht ndícheall a dhéanamh.”

A ndúirt an Tánaiste: “Is é an dúshlán atá roimh an Eoraip sa lá atá inniu ann ná a chinntiú gur rud é ár ngeilleagar fós a chruthaíonn rathúnas agus deiseanna dár muintir, mar ní hé an saibhreas a chruthaímid an fíorthomhas ar rath na hEorpa, ach na deiseanna a chuirimid ar fáil dár saoránaigh.

Is le teann diongbháilteachta, dearfachta agus díograise a bheimid ag breathnú chun cinn ar na sé mhí amach romhainn agus sinn ag machnamh ar an bhfáth ar tháinig an tAontas le chéile ar an gcéad dul síos – chun mór-roinn a chruthú inar cearta iad an tsíocháin, an tsaoirse agus an rathúnas do chách, seachas pribhléidí don bheagán.”

A ndúirt an tAire McEntee: “Agus Éire ag glacadh Uachtaránacht Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh uirthi féin den ochtú huair, is éard atá sa lá inniu ná toradh na hoibre tar éis roinnt blianta ullmhúcháin ó Roinn Rialtas go chéile. Is onóir agus freagracht é an Uachtaránacht a bheith againn, rud atá buailte linn agus uair na cinniúna ann san Eoraip.

Táimid ag dul i gceann na hUachtaránachta tráth a bhfuil athrú geopholaitiúil suntasach ann. Tá dúshláin mhóra roimh an Eoraip, ach tá deiseanna den scoth ann freisin i dtaobh ár ngeilleagar a neartú, athléimneacht a chothú agus todhchaí níos sláine agus níos rathúla a mhúnlú. Chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin sin agus na deiseanna sin a thapú, beidh gá le comhar, comhpháirtíocht agus dlúthpháirtíocht ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh.

I gcaitheamh ár nUachtaránachta, oibreoidh Éire lenár gcomhpháirtithe Eorpacha ar mhaithe lenár ngeilleagar a neartú, ár slándáil a fheabhsú agus na luachanna is bonn lenár nAontas a chaomhnú agus a chur chun cinn. Ní idéil theibí iad dínit an duine, an daonlathas, an tsaoirse, an comhionannas, an smacht reachta agus meas ar chearta an duine; is iad an bunús d’Eoraip atá síochánta, rathúil agus slán.

Beidh Éire ag obair ar mhaithe le comhdhearcadh a chothú agus torthaí praiticiúla a bhaint amach do shaoránaigh, rud a chuideoidh lena chinntiú go mbeidh an Eoraip níos láidre, níos iomaíche agus níos ullmhaithe chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin a bheidh romhainn amach anseo.”

A ndúirt an tAire Canney: “Bhí airí agus oifigigh ó Ranna Rialtais éagsúla ag ullmhú i gcomhair imeachtaí an lae inniu le tamall maith anuas. Mar chuid de sin, tá cur chun feidhme an ghealltanais a thugamar i gClár an Rialtais i leith cruinnithe Uachtaránachta a bheith ar siúl i gcathracha agus i gcontaetha ar fud na hÉireann. Leis sin, cinntítear go mbainfidh an tír ar fad tairbhe as an bpróifíl ard a bhaineann leis an Uachtaránacht.

Sna sé mhí amach romhainn, i réimsí ár bpríomhthosaíochtaí – an iomaíochas, luachanna agus an tslándáil – is féidir linn cur go mór le todhchaí an Aontais ar bhealach follasach tábhachtach. Is Aontas é a bhfuil an oiread sin bainte amach aige d’Éirinn le linn na 53 bliana dár mballraíocht.”

A ndúirt an tAire Byrne: “Is lá bródúil d’Éirinn é an 1 Iúil agus sinn ag glacadh cheannaireacht Uachtaránacht an Aontais Eorpaigh orainn féin. Is díol suntais é gurb í Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an AE in 2026 an chéad cheann atá againn ó bronnadh stádas iomlán ar an nGaeilge mar theanga oibre de chuid an Aontais i mí Eanáir 2022. Táimid bródúil as úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn le linn ár nUachtaránachta, ó Bhaile Átha Cliath go dtí an Bhruiséil, i ngnó na Comhairle, i gcumarsáid oifigiúil, agus in imeachtaí cultúrtha, ina measc sin ceann an lae inniu i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath.

I gcaitheamh Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an AE, is é an bunphrionsabal “ní neart go cur le chéile” a bheidh mar threoir againn. Oibreoimid le chéile, leis na Ballstáit eile den Aontas agus le pobail fud fad na hÉireann, chun an Eoraip a dhéanamh níos sláine agus níos iomaíche ar son ár muintire.”

Mar chuid den searmanas oscailte, bhí searmanas ardaithe na mbratach faoi stiúir Óglaigh na hÉireann. Is iad Banna Óglaigh na hÉireann agus Cór Óige Bhaile Átha Cliath a chas Amhrán na bhFiann. Chas siad amhrán an Aontais freisin, Óid don Aoibhneas, in Úcráinis, i nGaeilge, i mBéarla agus i nGearmáinis. Chuir bean an tí, Carrie Crowley, taispeántas cultúrtha i láthair a raibh na píosaí seo a leanas mar chuid de:

• Samhradh Samhradh arna chasadh ag Iarla Ó Lionáird, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley agus Christina Polycarpou
• Marchshlua Uí Néill arna chasadh ag Cormac Begley agus Stephanie Keane
• Beacons at Bealtaine le Séamus Heaney, arna léamh ag Ruth Negga
• Dreams le The Cranberries, arna chasadh ag Tolu Makay in éineacht le Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Laoise Kelly, Francesco Turrisi, Séamus Ong, Cormac Begley agus Christina Polycarpou