Energy security, affordability and sustainability will be at the centre of Ireland's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, according to Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien.

Speaking after a series of meetings with European Commissioners in Brussels, Minister O'Brien said Ireland would prioritise efforts to address energy costs, strengthen infrastructure and reduce the EU's dependence on fossil fuels.

Ireland will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months later this year.

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Key energy files expected to feature during the presidency include the European Grids Package, aimed at strengthening the EU's energy infrastructure, and the AccelerateEU Communication, which seeks to address rising energy costs and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.

'Volatile fossil fuel markets'

Minister O'Brien said: “Energy will be a key focus during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, not just affordability but also energy security and sustainability, all of which are inexorably linked”.

“Right across member states, we will strive to address rising energy costs and further reduce our dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, which have again been brought into sharp focus by the conflict in the Middle East," he said.