Editor's note
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Tuesday, 09.06.2026, 09:07
Irish Council’s Presidency: priorities for EU in the first half of 2013
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The 6-month presidency gives Ireland a chance to prioritise issues that it considers to be particularly important – in this case economic stability, jobs and growth.
The Irish Presidency coincides with the 40th anniversary of Ireland’s joining the EU together with the UK and Denmark.
Jobs & growth
Ireland will push ahead with the EU’s intention to reach an agreement (or a compact) on growth and jobs – a package of measures addressing fiscal consolidation, lending, unemployment, international trade and other areas with the potential to create growth and jobs.
Other Irish priorities include adoption of new rules on the following issues:
- on the recognition of professional qualifications among the EU member states;
- modernising public procurement, and
- making clear the rights of workers posted abroad within the EU states.
To stimulate innovation and research, Ireland will seek to conclude negotiations on the next round of EU funding, known as the Horizon 2020 programme, and will in particular promote nanotechnology, photonics, advanced manufacturing, cloud computing and high-speed computing.
Economic development
To restore confidence in the European economy, Ireland intends to ensure that the new EU system for economic and budgetary coordination includes a focus on fundamental issues, such as wages, wage indexation, labour market reforms, pensions, education and poverty.
EU budget & Irish priorities
With agreement on the EU's budget for 2014-2020 eluding EU leaders in November, a couple of new meetings will take place under the Irish presidency. Once the overall figures have been agreed, Ireland will focus on how the budget is divided between policy areas.
Ireland’s priorities in the EU budget are: 1. reform of the common agricultural policy, 2. fisheries policy, 3. spending on research and innovation, 4. funding for poorer EU regions, and 5. the Connecting Europe Facility, which will create growth and jobs by improving European infrastructure.
In addition to initiatives intended to promote growth and jobs, Ireland will also stress the environment, transport, new countries joining the EU, justice and support for development.
On 1 July, Ireland will hand over to Lithuania, who will hold the presidency until the end of 2013.
For more information, see: Presidency’s website (eu2013.ie) and More on the Irish EU presidency
