504. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the likely priorities on banking and financial services during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59387/25]

The high-level thematic priorities of Ireland’s Presidency are under development at present, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade coordinating across Government on the development of the overarching policy programme. This will be prepared in line with the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, taking into account the current legislative work programme of the European Commission and informed by stakeholder engagement and public outreach activities led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The specific priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency for banking and financial services will depend on the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda over the course of the incumbent Danish and incoming Cypriot Presidencies over the next eight months. We will need to take stock of the progress made under those two Presidencies before we publish our own thematic priorities next June.

The Deputy will be aware of the broader economic context against which Ireland will assume the EU Presidency next summer. Strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and productivity will be central to our Presidency.

Within the financial services and banking track, I would expect continued prioritisation of legislative proposals, including on the development of EU capital markets, the digital euro, and simplification. These are all important initiatives in delivering tangible benefits for citizens and businesses.

I expect to provide more detail to the Deputy once we get closer to taking the Presidency chair on 1 July next.