Park your differences says Fianna Fáil MEP

An Ireland South MEP has called for a ceasefire between the Government and the opposition as the Irish EU Presidency takes shape.

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, Deputy Leader of Renew Europe, the Liberals and Centrists in the European Parliament, made the comment ahead of the Irish Presidency of the European Council which will start on 1 July.

He explained: “We cannot have a situation whereby an Irish Government minister has to check if he or she is allowed to travel to Brussels for EU business because a pair might not be available. Ultimately, we need a ceasefire. Since the formation of the current Government in January 2025, a formal pairing arrangement between the opposition and the Government has been missing.”

A pairing is where an opposition TD agrees to not vote to enable a Government minister to take part in official duties either in Ireland or overseas.

“They ultimately cancel each other out,” he said while adding: “To my mind, this is the longest period where no formal arrangement has been in place between the opposition and Government.”

He added: “During our Presidency, it is expected that negotiations will conclude on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), essentially the EU budget for the next seven years, as well as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

“Ministers may be required to attend informal and formal ministerial meetings, chair meetings of the Council, intervene in Trilogue negotiations with the Parliament and Commission and attend plenary sessions in Strasbourg. The Chief Whip shouldn’t have to worry about keeping her majority during this six-month period.”

He said: “I am calling on the Government and the opposition to park their differences for the second half of 2026 to enable Ireland to put its best foot forward and do the best possible job it can for the 450 million EU citizens.

“On 1 January they can go back to the status quo but for the good of Ireland’s reputation and the EU as a whole, I believe a ceasefire is necessary for everyone’s sake,” concluded Kelleher.