Gerardo Fortuna, a journalist with Politico, said he spotted Costa and his cabinet travelling to Ireland on a Ryanair flight this morning.

SPOTTED on my Ryanair flight (yes, Ryanair) to Dublin for the Irish Presidency launch: European Council President Antonio Costa and his cabinet. (Ursula von der Leyen and her Commissioners will arrive tomorrow in Cork on a chartered flight, more on today's Brussels Playbook)

— Gerardo Fortuna (@gerardofortuna) July 1, 2026

Perhaps a bid to steal Ireland’s spell in the European limelight? 

Canada has chosen this moment to confirm it is officially joining the Eurovision Song Contest and will send an act to next year’s event in Bulgaria. 

Costa said the EU doesn’t like tariffs, but it does like trade agreements.

He said customs charges, such as the new fees that came into effect today, are there to ensure a “fair and predictable” relationship with trade partners, particularly the United States.

He said they want to have a good, stable relationship with the US, and provide predictability for American companies.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and António Costa speaking to reporters at Dublin Castle Jane Matthews Jane Matthews

The Taoiseach said Ireland will continue to stand with Ukraine. He is to hold a separate press conference with Zelenskyy at 5pm today.

Costa said the EU will do “whatever it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.

“Russia must understand that time is not on its side and that it must move from the battelfield to the negotiating table,” he said.

Martin said there is a need to increase pressure on Russia. He said the cost of continuing the “brutal” war needs to be made unsustainble for aggressor. 

The press conference between the Taoiseach and the EU council president has gotten underway.

Amnesty International has made a strong appeal to Ireland to “reject the politics of appeasement” during its presidency. 

Its director, Stephen Bowen, said: “Across the world and within our EU borders humanity is under attack, and we need Ireland to step up during its Presidency.

“The entire international system of human rights, justice and peacebuilding painstakingly built over decades on the ashes of World War II crumbles before our eyes.”

He added that Ireland should work to prevent the normalisation of “global disorder”.

Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews is down at Dublin Castle, where a press conference with the Taoiseach and António Costa is to kick off in about 10 minutes. 

And so it begins!

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed António Costa, President of the European Council, to Government Buildings as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union formally kicks off today. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/7eg5eJMC32

— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) July 1, 2026

It’s just gone 12.30pm on day one of EU presidency and the Irish stereotypes have already begun.

The first offender: the European Parliament.

In a Facebook post, it wrote, “goodbye halloumi and welcome boxty,” referencing Cyprus handing the baton to Ireland.

Do you remember the last time you ate boxty? Neither do I.

To add insult to injury, the post compares photos of sunny Cyprus with dreary Ireland.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio in Baldonnel, Simon Harris said “a huge level of preparation” has gone into security for the EU presidency.

“The real work begins today, trying to move forward substantial items that will make a real difference in the lives of Europeans here in Ireland and right across the continent,” he said.

“Ireland is an experienced member state when it comes to hosting presidencies, and today marks the start of a busy, productive and important six months.”

Zelenksyy posted a video of Harris and himself meeting.

On X, the Ukrainian president said his country “proves every day that it deserves to be an equal part of our common European home”.

“We hope that during Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council, we will be able to achieve tangible progress on the path to membership and open all negotiation clusters.”

The Tánaiste greeted Zelenskyy as he disembarked his plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, before having a “short meeting” with the Ukrainian president.

A spokesperson for Simon Harris said he’d use the opportunity to pay tribute to Zelenskyy’s “courage and resilience” and that of the Ukrainian people. It will be a “guiding inspiration to Ireland” during its presidency, they said.

Zelenskyy will have the opportunity to chat with Martin and Costa about Ukraine’s aspirations of joining the EU.

While Ukraine is not one of the 27 EU member states that make up the bloc, it is a candidate state that has begun the long accession process to join the union.

The government has repeatedly backed Ukraine’s efforts to join, with the Taoiseach previously saying Ukraine “belongs in the EU”.

Speaking this morning, Martin told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that Ukraine could “in theory” join the EU while still at war.

While full membership remains years away, Irish ministers have signaled they want to use the country’s upcoming presidency to advance negotiations with candidate countries, which also include Moldova.

Our Deputy Editor Christine Bohan has an overview of the public’s interest (or lack thereof) in the EU presidency.

“There’s a lot done, more to do on this first day of Ireland’s EU presidency: a new poll has found that 38% of Irish people have heard nothing about the presidency at all, and 46% of people have heard ‘a little’ about it (we’re going to assume that the remaining 16% are all reading this liveblog).

“The poll by More in Common has lots of interesting nuggets about Ireland’s attitudes towards Europe and the world, including that 75% of voters now prioritise closer ties with the EU over the US.

“Trust in the US has collapsed, and it is now the lowest-rated western ally with 73% of people saying they have little or no trust in the US under Trump.

“Irish people are famously pro-EU, although this poll suggests that has dropped slightly: 61% of people say EU membership is a good thing and two-thirds woud vote to remain – but people have different views of what a strong EU looks like.”

The full report, which can be found at the link above, is well worth a read. 

Here’s how the day will play out.

At midday, the Taoiseach is to hold a press conference with EU council president António Costa, where the media will have a chance to ask questions.

However, it’s understood that Costa’s flight is not set to land until 12, so the press conference will most likely be delayed.

Whenever it starts, our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews will be there to report back.

At 2pm, the official opening ceremony will be held in, you guessed it, Dublin Castle. It’s the epicentre of the EU presidency activities. 

At 5pm, Zelenskyy will join the Taoiseach for yet another press conference, where they’re expected to set out their aims for the presidency and take questions.

If you’re wondering why Zelenksyy is here on day 1 of the presidency, check out Andrew Walsh’s helpful explainer.

Zelenskyy’s plane landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel before 11.30am. 

Map shows the plane Zelenksyy was travelling on from Moldova is on ground in Dublin adsbexchange.com adsbexchange.com

There is a heavy garda presence around Dublin Castle today, and the city in general.

Justin Kelly, the garda commissioner said yesterday that he would be “highly surprising” if the EU Presidency passes without a major policing incident.

He said also that foreign police and security forces have arrived in Ireland to assist gardaí secure events in Dublin and in Cork.

Kelly said that much of the foreign officers will not be seen by the public and were involved in specialist areas. The Journal understands many of them will be involved in counter drone monitoring.

Good morning! Mairead Maguire here, one of The Journal’s reporters.

Ireland’s stint with the EU presidency begins today and thus commences six months of politics, pomp and high-level policing.

Zelenskyy is due to touch down in Ireland soon, while the Taoiseach is gearing up for a press conference with EU council president António Costa at midday.

We’ll bring you updates as they happen.