European Commission President and College of Commissioners Visit Cork for Start of Irish EU Presidency

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, the Tánaiste, Simon Harris TD, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, joined Government colleagues in welcoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to Cork on 2 and 3 July, marking the start of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The visit centred on discussions of Ireland's Presidency priorities and deliverables for the six-month term in office.

The Taoiseach discussed with President von der Leyen how the Irish Government and European Commission can best work together to deliver Ireland's Presidency policy programme, which focuses on competitiveness, values, and security.

Irish Ministers met with their Commission counterparts to exchange views on the priority issues and to strengthen cooperation on the legislative and policy agenda for the coming months.

During the visit, the College of Commissioners visited the Tyndall National Institute to hear from researchers about their work across a number of strategically significant fields, including semiconductors, advanced materials, and space.

Separately, An Garda Síochána confirmed traffic restrictions in Cork city to facilitate the visit, in a press release issued on 1 July 2026. Gaol Walk, between College Road and Western Road, was closed from the afternoon of 1 July until the afternoon of 3 July 2026. Localised road closures and temporary rolling road closures by Garda motorcycle escorts were also in place around University College Cork and the city centre during the afternoon and evening of Thursday 2 July, and the morning and early afternoon of Friday 3 July 2026.

The Taoiseach said:

"I was delighted to welcome President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to Cork. The visit was a valuable opportunity to discuss our Presidency policy programme. We have a clear set of priorities and are ambitious for what we can achieve. The European Commission is a key partner and I look forward to working with President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to deliver our Presidency programme over the next six months."

The College of Commissioners is the political leadership of the European Commission, comprising one Commissioner from each EU Member State and led by the Commission President. The visit is a longstanding tradition at the start of each rotating EU Presidency, when the Commissioners travel as one political body to a particular EU Member State.

Official photography from the visit and other Presidency events is available on the Flickr account for the Irish Presidency, @Ireland2026eu.

Sources: Presidency Press Office, 3 July 2026; An Garda Síochána, 1 July 2026.