Informal meeting of Transport Ministers (TTE Transport)
Date: 20 - 21 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Transport
The informal meeting will bring together EU transport ministers, representatives of the European Commission and senior officials to discuss common challenges and key developments in European transport policy.
The meeting will facilitate discussion on how the EU transport network provides the backbone of the single market, and how transport policy at EU level should evolve to support a safe, secure, resilient and competitive Union into the future.
The informal nature of the meeting will enable constructive dialogue and exchange of perspectives in preparation for the formal meeting of the TTE Council (Transport) in November.
Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich)
Date: 1 - 2 September 2026
Location: Wicklow, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for foreign affairs (Gymnich) will take place on 1 and 2 September in Wicklow.
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, in cooperation with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will host an informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, also known as Gymnich.
The Gymnich takes place every six months and provides an opportunity for ministers to exchange in open and strategic discussion on current geopolitical developments and the European Unions’ role on the international stage.
As with the regular Foreign Affairs Council meetings, the Gymnich is chaired by the High Representative/Vice President. As Presidency, Ireland will have a role in preparing and shaping the discussions and driving engagement on priority issues.
Through the work of the Gymnich and Foreign Affairs Council, the Irish Presidency will prioritise the EU’s key strategic goals and values, supporting a coherent approach to the work of all Council formations as we seek to advance them.
Informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers (General Affairs Council)
Date: 3 - 4 September 2026
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Organiser
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland
An informal meeting of EU Ministers responsible for European affairs will take place on 3 - 4 September in Dublin.
The informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council will be chaired by Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD. The meeting will bring together EU Ministers, their counterparts from EU candidate and potential candidate countries, and members of the European Commission.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for Ministers to exchange views on European priorities and strategic issues relevant to the General Affairs Council agenda, including the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-34, EU enlargement and bolstering the EU’s democratic resilience. Ministers from EU candidate and potential candidate countries will join the Member States for the working session on EU enlargement.
Informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers (AGRIFISH Agriculture)
Date: 6 - 8 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for agriculture will take place between 6 and 8 September in Dublin.
The meeting will be chaired by Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, and will bring together Ministers, the European Commission, and senior officials to discuss key issues facing the future of European agriculture, with a particular focus on the role of Livestock in European Agriculture.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for an open discussion on how livestock farming and food production can remain sustainable, competitive and resilient, while supporting food security, generational renewal and rural communities.
The accompanying programme will showcase Ireland’s strengths in agriculture, research, and innovation, and support the discussion on the key issues facing the sector.
Informal meeting of Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy (GAC Cohesion)
Date: 14 - 15 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy will take place on 14 and 15 September in Dublin.
The informal meeting will be chaired by Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, TD, and will bring together ministers from across the European Union to discuss the future direction of EU cohesion policy.
The EU’s Cohesion Policy is the Union’s main investment strategy for reducing economic, social, and territorial disparities among regions.
The Irish EU Presidency will ensure that cohesion policy remains focused on addressing social, economic and territorial disparities so that all citizens have an opportunity to participate in the economic and social life of the Union.
The informal meeting will provide Ministers with a forum to facilitate dialogue on initiatives linked to the future design, funding, and implementation of Cohesion Policy beyond the current budgetary period. Overall, the meeting provides an opportunity for strategic reflection, the exchange ideas, the identification of thematic priorities, and the building of consensus as negotiations progress ahead of the start of the 2028-2035 programming period.
Informal meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs ministers (ECOFIN)
Date: 18 - 19 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Finance
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for economic and financial affairs will take place on 18 and 19 September in Dublin.
Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, TD will host the informal meeting of EU Economy and Finance Ministers in Dublin for a two-day programme of discussions on economic and financial policymaking. The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Gabriel Makhlouf, will also host EU Central Bank Governors in Dublin as part of the programme.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for an open exchange of views on key macroeconomic developments, financial stability, and strategic policy priorities facing the European Union in an informal setting.
Informal meeting of Transport Ministers (TTE Transport)
Date: 20 - 21 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Transport
The informal meeting will bring together EU transport ministers, representatives of the European Commission and senior officials to discuss common challenges and key developments in European transport policy.
The meeting will facilitate discussion on how the EU transport network provides the backbone of the single market, and how transport policy at EU level should evolve to support a safe, secure, resilient and competitive Union into the future.
The informal nature of the meeting will enable constructive dialogue and exchange of perspectives in preparation for the formal meeting of the TTE Council (Transport) in November.
Informal meeting of Energy Ministers (TTE Energy)
Date: 28 - 29 September 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for energy will take place on 28 and 29 September in Dublin.
The informal meeting will bring together ministers responsible for energy policy from across the European Union, alongside representatives of the European Commission and invited partners.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for ministers to exchange views on strategic priorities relating to the energy transition and broader cooperation on energy policy.
The informal format of the meeting will facilitate strategic dialogue and policy reflection ahead of the formal meetings of the TTE Council (Energy) in October and December.
Informal meeting of Health Ministers
Date: 30 September - 1 October 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Organiser: Department of Health
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for health will take place on 30 September and 1 October in Dublin.
The informal meeting will be chaired by Ireland’s Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, and will convene health ministers from EU Member States and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations, along with the European Commissioner responsible for Health and Animal Welfare, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, and the head of the European Medicines Agency.
This meeting will provide a dedicated forum for ministers to have an open and forward-looking exchange on population health, innovation, life sciences and health competitiveness. Throughout the day, discussions will centre on how EU cooperation can reduce health inequalities, strengthen health systems, and enhance Europe’s position as a global leader in health and in the life sciences, while improving the health and wellbeing of people across the EU.
Ministers will discuss the central role of strong and resilient health systems as both a foundation for improved health outcomes and a driver of economic performance. By supporting human capital, boosting productivity, and fostering innovation and social cohesion, health systems are integral to Europe’s competitiveness. Attendees will explore how targeted investment in high-value innovation — across health research, biotechnology and digital transformation — alongside advances in technology, data, and models of care, can enable earlier intervention, more efficient services, and more equitable access to care.
Across these themes, the added value for EU countries is better access to medicines and to medical technology and for EU citizens, it is better access to high-quality, innovative and resilient care. New models of integrated, preventive, community and home-based care can improve continuity of care and quality of life on an equitable basis and stronger EU coordination and cooperation will be vital in building up the resilience and innovation of our health services and our life sciences ecosystem.