444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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. [53921/26]

The traditional 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 strengthen political relationships, establish a shared understanding of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and discuss how we will work with the Commission though our term to ensure we can deliver effectively on our policy objectives to the benefit of citizens in Ireland and across Europe.

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.

As part of these structured cluster discussions, I co-chaired a comprehensive discussion on values, skills, social cohesion and housing, alongside Commissioner Michael McGrath, with other Ministers and Commissioners with relevant portfolios participating. Our discussion examined the Presidency’s priorities across employment, skills, housing, health, equality, democracy and the rule of law. A consistent theme across the meeting was that Europe’s competitiveness depends upon a strong social model, with participants emphasising inclusion, opportunity and citizen wellbeing as integral elements of the Union’s long-term resilience.

In line with this Presidency being the first during which Irish holds full working language status across all EU institutions, I delivered my opening remarks to this discussion in Irish, helping to demonstrate the language's role in Irish and European affairs. This is in line with a Government wide commitment to embrace the EU Presidency as an opportunity to use and celebrate our language - and built on extensive use of the Irish language during the recent Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) Informal Council meeting in Ballina.

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. The plenary also provided an opportunity for Ministers and Commissioners to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges that will arise during the Irish Presidency term.

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.