Ireland assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (Council of the EU) on 1 July 2026. In its policy programme, the Irish Presidency sets out its priorities for its six-month term.
What you need to know
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Companies operating in or trading with the EU should be aware of the key themes and legislative proposals set out by the Irish Presidency (the Presidency), which cover a broad range of policy areas including competition, industrial strategy, and internal market development.
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The Industrial Accelerator Act, EU Inc, the Chips Act 2.0, and the European Product Act are all expected to advance during the Irish Presidency. Companies operating or with exposure to strategic supply chains in sectors such as energy, defence or critical raw materials should closely monitor progress on the Industrial Accelerator Act.
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Measures to reduce dependencies in strategic sectors (semiconductors, biotechnology, energy-intensive industries) may create opportunities for businesses as well as warrant assessment of supply chain arrangements.
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Efforts to remove barriers to the European Single Market and reduce regulatory burdens may create opportunities for businesses seeking to expand cross-border operations.
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Review of the Copyright Directive and the broader digital fairness agenda will be relevant for technology companies, content creators, and platforms alike.
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Firms providing construction or installation services should track the progress of the Construction Services Act, which may alter the regulatory landscape for cross-border services.
Background
The Council of the EU brings together government ministers from the 27 EU Member States. Meetings take place in various thematic groups, known as the Council configurations, covering topics such as economic and financial affairs, competitiveness, transport, telecommunications and energy. Member States assume the presidency of the Council on a rotating basis, setting the agenda for a six-month period. The Irish Presidency, which commenced on 1 July 2026, will place particular focus on initiatives relevant to European competitiveness, European values and European security. The following are some of the key priority areas for the Presidency.
Single Market and Competitiveness
Enhancing European competitiveness and economic resilience remains a core priority for the EU. The "One Europe, One Market" Roadmap, agreed by the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament in April 2026 provides a blueprint and will be at the heart of the Presidency's priorities. The Presidency identifies five strategic building blocks which will guide its work: simplifying rules; a more integrated Single Market; championing strong trade; energy transition; and strengthening the EU's digital and AI capabilities.
At the heart of this is the Single Market Strategy and an aim to eliminate what are known as the “terrible ten” barriers to the Single Market, a reference to persistent obstacles (such as divergent national product rules, licensing requirements, and recognition of professional qualifications) that impede cross-border business. The Presidency will seek to create conditions in which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can grow and scale, emerging technologies can develop, and public and private investment can support competitiveness.
EU Inc. – The "28th Regime"
The Presidency promises to advance negotiations on EU Inc., also referred to as the "28th Regime". This is a proposal for an optional EU-level corporate framework that would allow companies to incorporate under a single set of EU-wide rules, rather than navigating 27 different national company law regimes, and to operate seamlessly across the Union.
Industrial Accelerator Act
The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is identified as a flagship proposal and a priority file. This proposed legislation is intended to strengthen EU industrial competitiveness, accelerate decarbonisation, and secure supply chains in strategic sectors. The "One Europe, One Market" Roadmap calls for the IAA to be agreed by the end of 2026. For more on this, see our briefing 'A new chapter for industrial Europe: the Industrial Accelerator Act'.
Strategic Sectors and Industrial Resilience
Investment in strategic sectors and the strengthening of industrial resilience: legislative initiatives addressing semiconductors (such as the Chips Act 2.0), biotechnology, and energy-intensive industries will form a central pillar of work during the six-month Irish term. The Chips Act 2.0 builds on the EU’s existing efforts under the original European Chips Act (2023) to bolster semiconductor manufacturing capacity, reduce dependency on third-country suppliers, and enhance supply chain resilience. Other key actions will include advancing the EU's industrial strategy, reforming the public procurement rules, promoting high standards and digital fairness, encouraging diversification to reduce dependencies, and fostering emerging technologies.
Innovation, SMEs, and Digital Transformation
Targeted support for innovation, SMEs, and advanced research in key areas such as artificial intelligence and green technologies. These objectives are linked to the broader agenda of removing barriers to the Single Market, reducing regulatory burdens and accelerating digital transformation.
Regulatory Simplification and Enforcement
Regulatory simplification and better enforcement is another theme of the Irish policy programme. This will include reviewing existing legislation to reduce unnecessary complexity, seeking to avoid "gold-plating" (the practice whereby Member States add unnecessary requirements beyond those mandated by EU law), and ensuring that EU rules deliver effectively for citizens and businesses. This is line with the objectives of the European Commission’s Communication entitled 'A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook',
Intellectual Property and Copyright
Progress on the EU’s intellectual property framework: in particular review of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (Directive (EU) 2019/790), which is intended to ensure that the Directive remains fit for the digital era, an issue of growing significance in light of developments in generative artificial intelligence.
Housing and Construction Services
Access to affordable housing is a key component of a competitive European economy and the Irish Presidency will seek to progress the initiatives under the European Affordable Housing Plan, including the Affordable Housing Act and the Construction Services Act. The latter is a key initiative under the Single Market Strategy and aims to modernise the regulatory framework for construction and installation services, boost productivity, and make it easier to provide services across borders.
Want to know more?
- 'A new chapter for industrial Europe: the Industrial Accelerator Act' (21 April 2026). Our briefing on the draft IAA sets out what you need to know on this wide-ranging legislative initiative designed to strengthen Europe's industrial base and accelerate its transition to a low-carbon economy.
Authors: Peter Turner-Kerr, Counsel; Róisín Dunlea, Junior Associate
Other key contacts: Peter Turner-Kerr, Counsel
