In her first major speech as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD visited Europe House on Thursday to give a keynote address and answer questions from a sold-out crowd of journalists, students and over 40 ambassadors
Minister McEntee was introduced by Peter Power, the head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland. The minister’s speech, entitled, ‘Ireland’s Enduring Place in Europe: Our 2026 EU Presidency’, focused on the importance of the EU to Ireland, the key policies that will shape Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU, and the current challenges facing member states.
After opening her speech as Gaeilge, Minister McEntee wasted no time in addressing one of the key concerns at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, the US threat on Greenland. She described the commentary on Greenland recently as deeply troubling and outlined Ireland’s absolute support for the people of Greenland and Denmark. “The future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by the people of Denmark and the Greenlandic people.” She welcomed President Trump’s recent announcement that proposed tariffs on EU countries would not be going ahead on February 1st.
“The future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by the people of Denmark and the Greenlandic people.”
The Minister moved on to emphasise her belief in the importance of the European Union today. “We are living in a moment in history. A moment where events move at extraordinary speed. Choices we make as a country and as a union matter more than ever”. The minister went on to list certain advantages that citizens of Ireland and other member states have been able to enjoy thanks to the EU, an organisation that Minister McEntee described as “the greatest peace project ever conceived”.
She mentioned many positives including the economic advantage of being a member of the eurozone, free trade for Irish businesses across Europe, the ability to choose to live across all member states and the ability to shop online without customs duties. She emphasised the impact of the European Union during the peace process achieved on the island of Ireland.
Minister McEntee stated that “Ireland enjoys a very high level of support for the European Union” but acknowledged a growing criticism of the union in the country. “I am genuinely concerned by a rising level of Euro-scepticism in this country. We can’t allow these whispers, and in some quarters, these loud shouts, to not be challenged. It doesn’t mean that criticism of Europe is unjustified either. It’s far from perfect. There are issues on which we disagree”.
The Minister went on to talk about the policies that will shape Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, citing three in particular: values, security and competitiveness.
On security, Minister McEntree said that the security environment in Europe has been “utterly changed by Russia's war of aggression”. She underlined Ireland's support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Addressing both the Ambassador for Ukraine and the Ambassador for Moldova, who were both in the room, she outlined Ireland’s support for EU membership for both of these countries and said that enlargement is one of the union’s great tools.
She also stated that “We will keep a strong focus on achieving peace in the Middle East”. Next week, Ireland will host an alliance on the implementation on a two state solution for the conflict in Gaza, saying the meeting will discuss how a two state solution was met on the island of Ireland.
Recently, the minister travelled to the Rafah Crossing and said she saw a truck full of aid not being let in. She said more aid needs to be provided in the area and said that “This will only happen if the EU, EU constitution and our partners continue to call out the catastrophe that is unfolding in front of her eyes”. She said this will continue under Ireland’s presidency. The minister also briefly touched on the conflicts in Lebanon, Iran and Sudan, repeatedly mentioning Ireland’s support towards peace.
Recently, the minister travelled to the Rafah Crossing and said she saw a truck full of aid not being let in. She said more aid needs to be provided in the area and said that “This will only happen if the EU, EU constitution and our partners continue to call out the catastrophe that is unfolding in front of her eyes”.
Minister McEntee spoke on defence as a whole, saying that Ireland supports the EU’s white paper on defence. She said that “Ireland is absolutely determined to step up our own security” while also saying that Ireland’s military policy will remain one of neutrality. She cited the recent budget’s €1.5billion laid out for defence and said that the country is going to be undertaking the biggest investment in defence in the state’s history.
Moving on to competitiveness, Minister McEntee said the competitiveness within the EU “delivers good jobs, good salaries and a good quality of life. At the heart of this is the single market. It has utterly transformed our economies and people’s lives”.
She said that the single market is a work in progress, with there still being challenges for businesses within member states. She mentioned barriers that companies encounter while trading, energy being too expensive due to being overly dependent on importing fossil fuels and said that “we are also being outpaced in the race for technologies of the future”. She said that three things must be done: “Supporting the single market. Deepening the single market. Advancing the single market”.
In the concluding section of her address, Minister McEntee focused on Ireland’s preparations for assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU. She said that with five months to go we are in a good place, but “there’s lots of work to be done”. Ireland has been engaging with other member states and EU institutions, and the government has received more than 480 responses from people and organisations from Ireland and abroad with opinions that will be reviewed before making the policy programme for the country’s presidency.
Looking ahead to the presidency, which will commence in July, she said “We will welcome heads of states and government” and host more than 270 events within the six month presidency. “It is so important that we use this as an opportunity to showcase who we are, not just what we stand for”.
Ending her speech by looking ahead, Minister McEntee said that “The Presidency is not just about meetings and engagements and negotiations. It is, for me, about reconnecting people with Europe at a time of such turmoil.” She continued, “United is the only way that we can respond to the challenges and that we can take hold of the opportunities”.
The Minister took questions from students, journalists and ambassadors following her speech before heading downstairs in Europe House to engage with students in the new facility’s learning environment. Europe House features a 360 degree cinema, information on all MEPs along with a number of interactive stations that educate visitors on the European Union.
Ending her speech by looking ahead, Minister McEntee said that “The Presidency is not just about meetings and engagements and negotiations. It is, for me, about reconnecting people with Europe at a time of such turmoil.” She continued, “United is the only way that we can respond to the challenges and that we can take hold of the opportunities”.