In the Land of fields of shamrocks On 3 February, Commissioner Piotr Serafin will travel to Ireland, accompanied by Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. Set against the backdrop of Dublin, the visit will bring together EU decision-makers, Irish political leaders, parliamentarians, and agricultural stakeholders to reflect on shared priorities and the future direction of the European Union. At the heart of the discussions will be the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU (July–December 2026), and the policies that matter most to citizens, communities, and farmers across Ireland and Europe. Page contents Page contents ------------------ STOP 1: Setting the scene with the Irish Government (3 February) The visit will begin at Government Buildings, where Commissioner Serafin will meet with Simon Harris, Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Finance; Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture; Thomas Byrne, Minister for EU Affairs; and other senior representatives of the Irish Government. This first exchange will set the tone for the mission, focusing on the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget. Discussions will explore how the future budget will support competitiveness, strengthen cohesion across regions, and continue to underpin a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. Government BuildingAn Architectural Guide to Dublin STOP 2: Dialogue with Parliamentarians at Leinster House (3 February) From government to parliament, Commissioner Serafin will then travel to Leinster House to engage with the Oireachtas (Parliament) Committee on EU Affairs, with members of the Agriculture Committee also invited to participate.Following opening remarks by the Committee Chair, Barry Ward, T.D., Commissioner Serafin will outline the Commission’s vision before entering into an open exchange with Members of the Oireachtas. As a public Committee session, the discussion will offer a transparent forum for debate, allowing parliamentarians to raise questions, share perspectives, and contribute to the conversation on Europe’s long-term priorities.Houses of the OireachtasLeinster House, the Seat of the Irish Parliament STOP 3: Listening to those on the ground: Irish Agricultural Representatives (3 February) In the afternoon, the focus will turn to those directly shaping Ireland’s rural economy. Commissioner Serafin will meet with a broad range of agricultural stakeholders, including the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association, Irish Grain Growers, Macra na Feirme, and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association.This exchange will provide a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand from farmers and sector representatives, reflect on the diversity of Irish agriculture, and discuss how the next long-term EU budget can respond to their realities, challenges, and expectations for the future. STOP 4: Looking ahead with the Taoiseach (3 February) The visit will conclude with a meeting between Commissioner Serafin and Micheál Martin, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. Building on the exchanges held throughout the day, the discussion is expected to centre on the next long-term EU budget and the forthcoming negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework.As the Tour d’Europe continues its journey, the Irish stop will underline the country’s active role in shaping Europe’s future, and the importance of dialogue at every level in building the next chapter of the European project.
On 3 February, Commissioner Piotr Serafin will travel to Ireland, accompanied by Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. Set against the backdrop of Dublin, the visit will bring together EU decision-makers, Irish political leaders, parliamentarians, and agricultural stakeholders to reflect on shared priorities and the future direction of the European Union. At the heart of the discussions will be the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU (July–December 2026), and the policies that matter most to citizens, communities, and farmers across Ireland and Europe.
The visit will begin at Government Buildings, where Commissioner Serafin will meet with Simon Harris, Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Finance; Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture; Thomas Byrne, Minister for EU Affairs; and other senior representatives of the Irish Government. This first exchange will set the tone for the mission, focusing on the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget. Discussions will explore how the future budget will support competitiveness, strengthen cohesion across regions, and continue to underpin a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. Government BuildingAn Architectural Guide to Dublin
From government to parliament, Commissioner Serafin will then travel to Leinster House to engage with the Oireachtas (Parliament) Committee on EU Affairs, with members of the Agriculture Committee also invited to participate.Following opening remarks by the Committee Chair, Barry Ward, T.D., Commissioner Serafin will outline the Commission’s vision before entering into an open exchange with Members of the Oireachtas. As a public Committee session, the discussion will offer a transparent forum for debate, allowing parliamentarians to raise questions, share perspectives, and contribute to the conversation on Europe’s long-term priorities.Houses of the OireachtasLeinster House, the Seat of the Irish Parliament
In the afternoon, the focus will turn to those directly shaping Ireland’s rural economy. Commissioner Serafin will meet with a broad range of agricultural stakeholders, including the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association, Irish Grain Growers, Macra na Feirme, and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association.This exchange will provide a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand from farmers and sector representatives, reflect on the diversity of Irish agriculture, and discuss how the next long-term EU budget can respond to their realities, challenges, and expectations for the future.
The visit will conclude with a meeting between Commissioner Serafin and Micheál Martin, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. Building on the exchanges held throughout the day, the discussion is expected to centre on the next long-term EU budget and the forthcoming negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework.As the Tour d’Europe continues its journey, the Irish stop will underline the country’s active role in shaping Europe’s future, and the importance of dialogue at every level in building the next chapter of the European project.
