436. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53923/26]

The Presidency visit by the College of Commissioners took place in Cork on 2-3 July 2026 and represented the first collective engagement between the Government of Ireland and the European Commission during the Ireland’s Presidency term. The visit provided an important opportunity to establish a shared understanding of Ireland’s Presidency priorities.

During the programme, structured cluster discussions involving Ministers and Commissioners focused on industrial competitiveness and the single market; agriculture, climate, energy and economic transition; security, external relations, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and values, skills, social cohesion and housing.

I participated in a comprehensive discussion on industrial competitiveness and the single market, alongside Executive Vice Presidents Séjourné and Virkkunen and Commissioners Zaharieva, Albuquerque and Serafin, and other Ministers with relevant portfolios.

The programme concluded with a plenary session, jointly chaired by the Taoiseach and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. This provided an opportunity for reflection on key themes which emerged during earlier discussions for the benefit of the wider College and Government. During the plenary session, I provided an overview of our discussions around competitiveness and the Single Market, with a particular focus on the One Europe, One Market Roadmap and its focus on simplifying rules, a more integrated single market, championing strong trade, the energy transition, and Digital/AI.

Overall, there was a high degree of alignment between the Government and the European Commission on the priorities and objectives for the work of the EU during the Irish Presidency term, together with a shared commitment to maintaining momentum across the Union’s legislative and policy agenda.