Helen McEntee TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Minister for Defence, Deputy Leader of @FineGael, Meath East TD.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

I want to thank Senator Frances Black for her steadfast commitment to this issue over many years.

I will continue to work with our EU and international partners to advance peace, security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Today marks an important step as the Israeli Settlements Bill completed its passage through the Oireachtas.

This legislation reaffirms Ireland's commitment to international law, human rights and a just and lasting peace based on a negotiated two-State solution.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Welcome today's provisional agreement on the AGILE programme under our Presidency. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

Supporting defence innovation & our SMEs is key to strengthening Europe's security and technological edge.

Looking forward to taking this important work forward with our European partners!

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

🇮🇪🇪🇺Today, the Irish Presidency reached a provisional deal with @Europarl_EN on the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE)

This will be instrumental in providing funding for innovation in the defence industry, with a focus on small & medium-sized enterprises

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

We discussed Ireland's Presidency priorities, the future of EU–UK relations, and the enduring friendship between Ireland and France.

As we look ahead, I look forward to building even closer cooperation between our two countries. 🇮🇪🇫🇷🇪🇺

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

It was a pleasure to welcome @MichelBarnier to Iveagh House today.

Michel's steadfast support for Ireland during the Brexit negotiations helped protect the Good Friday Agreement and strengthen European unity.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

This is about strengthening peace, security and prosperity across our continent. 🇮🇪🇪🇺
#SuperTuesday

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Ireland’s EU membership transformed our country.

Today, under Ireland's EU Presidency, we helped advance the EU aspirations of 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇦🇱 Albania and 🇲🇪 Montenegro in the biggest day of accession conferences in over two decades.

[António Costa @eucopresident]

I welcome the signing today in Brussels of the EU–UK Agreement on Gibraltar. A historic step that completes the post-Brexit framework.

The agreement removes physical barriers at the Spain–Gibraltar border, benefiting the thousands of people who cross it every day. It will support the prosperity and stability of the region while safeguarding the Schengen area, the single market, and the customs union.

[Xavier Bettel @Xavier_Bettel]

🇪🇺 Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, first one under the Irish🇮🇪 presidency. I wish you the best of luck @HMcEntee @thomasbyrneTD🍀🍀

On the agenda:
🛑 Russian aggression against Ukraine
🛑 Middle East
🛑 Black Sea

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Thanks to the principals, staff and school communities for their continued commitment. I look forward to seeing these projects progress!

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Further progress this week for two schools in Meath East🙌

Additional modular accommodation has been approved for Gaelscoil na Ríthe, Dunshaughlin, including 1 MCR and 2 SET rooms, while Scoil Colmcille, Skryne will receive 2 new SEN rooms.📚✏️

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Ireland 🇮🇪 supports the largest ever cyber sanctions package agreed at FAC as well as the statement from the High Representative on behalf of the EU denouncing Russia’s malicious cyber ecosystem targeting the EU, its Member States and international partners.

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

🇮🇪🇪🇺 Minister @HMcEntee is in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council today

Ministers will discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, the Black Sea and EU-UN relations.

🎥 Watch the Minister's remarks before the Council meeting: https://t.co/fobRwgWtus

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

Ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council, Minister @HMcEntee & HRVP @kajakallas co-hosted a discussion on 🇺🇦 humanitarian issues & civilian detainees.

🇺🇦 Foreign Minister @andrii_sybiha & civil society representatives Oleksandra Matviichuk & Maksym Butkevych joined 🇪🇺 Ministers.

[Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 @andrii_sybiha]

Today in Brussels, I began my visit by participating in a high-level event dedicated to Ukraine’s civilian detainees — civilians whom Russia has effectively turned into hostages of its war.

I am grateful to the European Union for its leadership in launching a dedicated platform on Ukrainian civilian detainees and for bringing this issue to the center of the EU’s agenda.

I stressed a simple truth: there should be no civilian detainees at all. Yet Russia has institutionalized the abduction, torture, and unlawful imprisonment of civilians as a deliberate instrument of its war. Thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity, deprived of their rights, their dignity, and often their very humanity.

This is not only a consequence of Russia’s crimes. It is also a test for the international community. Existing international humanitarian law does not provide an effective mechanism to secure the release of civilians unlawfully detained during an ongoing war. We cannot allow this legal vacuum to benefit the aggressor.

Ukraine has launched the International Humanitarian Law Progressive Development Platform to help close this gap. I invited our partners to join this effort and work together to create an international mechanism that guarantees the protection and return of civilian detainees.

Pressure on Russia must increase dramatically. Every judge, prosecutor, investigator, prison official, and every person involved in torture chambers, fabricated cases, and unlawful detention must face personal sanctions and justice. Impunity only encourages Russia to commit more crimes.

The ICRC must regain full and unhindered access to all Ukrainian civilian detainees. Ukraine fulfills its obligations under international humanitarian law. Russia openly violates them. This cannot be tolerated. It must not become the new normal.

The release of unlawfully detained civilians must be an integral part of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. Russia seeks to strip our people of their humanity. Our shared responsibility is to bring every civilian home, ensure justice for every victim, and prove that no regime built on terror is stronger than international solidarity and the rule of law.

I am grateful to HR/VP @kajakallas and Irish Foreign Minister @HMcEntee for their leadership on this issue, and to Oleksandra Matviichuk and Maksym Butkevych for their courage and powerful testimony. Europe has both the authority and the responsibility to lead international efforts to bring our civilians home.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Building momentum for Enlargement

Today all 🇪🇺 member states agreed to:

- Open Cluster 6 for 🇺🇦 and 🇲🇩
- Close chapters 8 and 29 for 🇲🇪
- Close chapters 25, 26 and 30 for 🇦🇱

This is a clear demonstration of the importance 🇮🇪 places on enlargement during our Presidency.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Citizens in the affected area are advised to follow the instructions of the local authorities. Irish citizens affected by the wildfires who require assistance can contact the embassy on [phone].

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

My deepest sympathies to the families who lost loved ones in yesterday’s tragic wildfires in Almería in Spain. Ireland and the EU always ready to assist in dealing with these devastating events.

[Fine Gael @FineGael]

🇪🇺 Today marks 50 years of the European People’s Party.

Fine Gael’s place in the EPP ensures Ireland’s interests are heard at the highest level, while helping to strengthen Europe’s security and stability.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

I want to see current negotiations progress rapidly and I was pleased to discuss the enormous potential in the EU UAE trade relationship in my meeting with Minister for Foreign Trade Al Zeyoudi in Abu Dhabi last night.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Really positive news today: the European Parliament has voted in favour of the EU-Mexico Interim Trade Agreement.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

The Irish Presidency will move immediately to final confirmation of this agreement in the Council so that the benefits to Irish, European and Mexican businesses and consumers can be realised.

I am very ambitious for EU Trade policy over the next six months.