The EU Presidency opportunity - but first, a reality check
The Oireachtas finished up for Easter recess this week and it'll be all guns blazing when they return. In July, Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time. For six months, Irish ministers and officials will chair negotiations across dozens of policy areas, broker compromises between 27 member states, and host the largest international summit ever held on this island. It is, by any measure, an enormous opportunity - and for organisations here with a stake in EU policy, it may be the most accessible moment to engage with European decision-making that they will see in a generation.
But the presidency arrives against a backdrop that deserves more attention than it has received. Last year, internal Department of Foreign Affairs briefing papers - released under FOI to the Irish Times - revealed that Ireland is at risk of becoming "significantly underrepresented at all levels" of the European Commission. Nearly a third of Irish officials working in the Commission are due to retire within four years. For every four leaving senior posts, only one is passing the EU's competitive recruitment process.
The pipeline of new Irish officials at lower levels won't be a like for like replacement for the years of relationships developed by those departing at senior ranks. The real-world consequence is straightforward: fewer Irish people in the rooms where EU policy is shaped at an early stage, before it ever reaches ministerial level.
The presidency changes that dynamic - but only temporarily and only at Council level. It does not address the longer-term question of Ireland's footprint within the Commission, where the architecture of EU legislation is actually built. The six month window from July represents genuine access and influence that will not last. The organisations that will make the most of it are those that arrive with a clear ask, a well-mapped set of relationships, and a realistic understanding of where the real levers of EU decision-making sit.
Ireland has typically punched above its weight in Brussels. The presidency is a chance to remind people why - but sustaining that influence beyond December will require a different kind of effort entirely.
ESRI warns rising prices could drive inflation
The latest ESRI Quarterly Economic commentary highlights that rising energy prices are expected to be a key driver of inflation in the Irish economy over the coming period, despite otherwise stable economic conditions.
While the economy continues to show resilience, with solid employment levels and steady domestic demand, the ESRI warns that increases in energy costs are likely to push headline inflation higher again. This is expected to place renewed pressure on household budgets, particularly as energy feeds into a wide range of goods and services.
The report notes that, although underlying inflation had begun to ease, energy price volatility presents a significant upside risk. Higher electricity and fuel costs are likely to have knock-on effects across the economy, contributing to broader price increases.
In addition, the ESRI points to ongoing structural challenges, particularly in housing supply, which continue to affect the cost of living. External risks, including global energy market developments, also remain a key concern.
Overall, the ESRI suggests that while economic growth remains positive, policymakers will need to carefully manage inflationary pressures, especially those linked to energy, to sustain stability in the months ahead.
Climate system under increasing strain, says WMO
Global sustainability risks are intensifying, with the latest World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report highlighting a growing imbalance in the Earth’s climate system driven by greenhouse gas emissions. The report finds that concentrations of carbon dioxide are now at their highest level in around two million years, with methane and nitrous oxide also at record levels.
This imbalance refers to the amount of heat being trapped in the Earth’s system. Most of this excess energy - around 90% - is being absorbed by the oceans, accelerating warming, sea level rise and broader climate disruption.
The findings point to a climate system under increasing strain, with recent years among the hottest on record and extreme weather events becoming more frequent. The report describes a “climate in a state of emergency”, with impacts expected to persist for centuries due to the long-term accumulation of emissions.
Rising global temperatures are also linked to wider economic and sustainability risks, including impacts on food systems, biodiversity loss and pressure on infrastructure. The scale and speed of change underline the urgency of reducing emissions and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.
Worst election result in a century for Denmark’s Social Democrats
Denmark has held its latest general election, resulting in a fragmented outcome with no clear majority. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats emerged as the largest party but suffered significant losses, recording their worst result in a century.
Across the wider blocs, neither the left-leaning nor right-leaning parties secured enough seats to form a government outright. Several smaller and centrist parties made gains, further complicating the political landscape.
As a result, coalition negotiations are now underway. Frederiksen has submitted her resignation, as is customary, and discussions between parties will determine the shape of the next government. The centrist Moderates party is expected to play a key role in negotiations, potentially acting as a kingmaker.
Frederiksen’s decline in support has been partly attributed to her government’s tough stance on immigration, which drew criticism from left-leaning voters who viewed the approach as overly restrictive. At the same time, voters on the right saw her as too soft and not effective enough on economic issues and the cost-of-living crisis.