Simon Harris’s 10-month term as Minister for Foreign Affairs was dominated by two international challenges: Donald Trump’s tariff diplomacy and the war in Gaza. In both cases, the Government had to tread a delicate path to avoid attracting unwanted attention from Washington.
Ireland suffered a gentler blow from tariffs than many feared, not least because of the treatment of the pharmaceutical sector which is a major driver of exports and a significant employer. And as Israel’s assault on Gaza continued, more European Union member-states moved towards Ireland’s position on Palestinian statehood.
It will be for incoming Minister Helen McEntee to deal with the diplomatic implications of the Occupied Territories Bill if it becomes law. The legislation has overwhelming support in the Oireachtas and among voters but the draft Bill has faced criticism from some members of Congress and the Government will need to make its case on Capitol Hill to limit any repercussions.
Much of the new Minister’s focus in 2026 will be on Ireland’s assumption of the EU presidency in the second half of the year. The rotating presidency is less central to European governance than it was but it will still be an important test of the effectiveness of all Government departments as well as of Irish diplomacy.
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Irish ministers will chair meetings across 10 different areas and Irish officials will chair about 150 working groups of civil servants across all sectors. The most politically sensitive issues are likely to be defence, EU enlargement including Ukraine, and preparations for the next multi-year European budget framework.
McEntee’s experience as a former Minister for Justice will be an advantage as she deals with cross-Border issues and the Irish-British relationship. Relations with London have improved since Keir Starmer became prime minister but the Stormont institutions remain fragile as the parties struggle to work together in the Executive.
Recent years have seen a dramatic expansion of Ireland’s global diplomatic footprint and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade now has almost 3500 staff working in more than 100 locations around the world. Much of the expansion was part of a Global Ireland Strategy launched in 2018, which was followed by the publication of regional strategies for Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, France, Germany and the Nordic Region.
These strategies expire in 2025 and the Government is planning to develop a new one called Global Ireland 2040, along with regional strategies for the next 15 years. These strategies should be a moment for fresh thinking about Ireland’s position in a changing geopolitical environment, its interests and values and the opportunities presented by the shifting multilateral order.
