Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency: What it means for housing and the built environment
Ní neart go cur le chéile. Strength in unity.
Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time, from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The Presidency slogan, ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’ – an Irish seanfhocal reflecting that there can be no strength unless we are together — frames the approach to three priority pillars: competitiveness, values and security.
Significahtly, this is the first Irish Presidency to take place since Irish became a fully-operational working language of the European Union in January 2022, ending a derogation in place since 2007. The Presidency will integrate Irish into Council business, official communications and cultural events. And so will we.
Catch up on the EU Housing Emergency Summit: https://caroltallon.com/eu-housing-summit-galway-2025/
- 1️⃣ Emergency Planning & Approvals Pathway
- 2️⃣ Construction Capacity, Rapid Delivery & Procurement
- 3️⃣ Land Activation: Site Readiness & Infrastructure Bottlenecks
- 4️⃣ Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings
- 5️⃣ Viability, Community Acceptance & Other Considerations
Looking ahead, for anyone working in property, planning, construction or the wider built environment, the programme sets out priorities and a concrete agenda:
Housing moves up the EU agenda
Affordable housing is treated in the programme as a competitiveness issue, not solely a social one. The Irish Presidency will seek to progress the initiatives under the European Affordable Housing Plan, specifically the Affordable Housing Act and the Construction Services Act: https://caroltallon.com/1456-amendments-49-compromises-23-6-4-vote-european-parliament-backs-affordable-housing-plan-and-recognises-housing-as-a-social-emergency/
The Affordable Housing Act is intended to support public authorities in identifying areas of housing stress and taking measures to protect affordability in those areas, including in relation to short-term rentals. The programme is explicit that addressing housing stress also requires increasing supply through new build, better use of vacant properties, social housing, and simplifying planning and permitting – areas that remain under Member State control: https://caroltallon.com/what-the-eu-affordable-housing-plan-means-for-irish-delivery/
The Construction Services Act is positioned as a key initiative under the Single Market Strategy. It aims to modernise the regulatory framework for construction and installation services, boost productivity, and make it easier to provide services across borders – with particular relevance for SMEs operating in border regions.
Homelessness and housing exclusion
Separately, under the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), the Presidency will progress the Commission’s proposed Council recommendation on fighting housing exclusion – defined as the inability of individuals to access or maintain decent, stable housing. This follows publication of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and focuses on those most affected by homelessness.
Infrastructure, permitting and simplification
The simplification agenda runs throughout the programme and has direct implications for delivery of the built environment. The General Affairs Council will prioritise efforts supporting affordable housing and critical infrastructure – including telecommunications, transport, digital, healthcare, water, defence and energy. The stated aim is a more coherent, streamlined regulatory framework for permitting processes, respecting proportionality and subsidiarity.
Energy infrastructure and grids
For those delivering energy and grid infrastructure, the Presidency commits to delivering the European Grids Package – comprising the revised TEN-E Regulation and a Permitting Directive – which it frames as central to unlocking onshore and offshore renewable deployment. Streamlining grid permitting is identified as essential. The Presidency also prioritises the Network Charges and Taxation proposal and the Energy Security Framework.
Transport networks
The Presidency stands ready to progress the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as part of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations. CEF investment is described as critical to completing the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Network of rail, maritime and inland waterway infrastructure.
Cohesion and regional development
Cohesion policy commitments include investment in infrastructure, energy, environmental and urban regeneration, and access to affordable housing, with an emphasis on place-based solutions, multi-level governance, and regional strategies adapted to areas struggling with economic development.
Research and the bioeconomy
The Presidency will aim to advance negotiations on the next EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10 / Horizon Europe) and the proposed European Innovation Act. Ireland will also host the Global Bioeconomy Summit in October 2026 – relevant to construction materials and the circular economy, alongside the forthcoming Circular Economy Act.
The wider context
These built-environment measures sit within a Presidency defined, in its own words, by action and delivery — across competitiveness, values and security — and underpinned by negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, which will shape funding for infrastructure, cohesion and energy over the coming decade.
Official website of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026: https://irish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/EN/
