Commissioner Lahbib emphasises citizen security during Ireland’s EU Presidency

On 8 October 2026, EU Commissioner Lahbib addressed the Irish EU Affairs Committee in Dublin, marking the start of Ireland’s six‑month EU Council Presidency. In the speech, the Commissioner highlighted that the Union is at “an important moment for Europe and for the security of our citizens”, stressing the need for coordinated action across member states. The remarks, released by the European Commission, also referenced earlier engagements this year, underscoring the Commission’s ongoing dialogue with national partners on security issues. The speech fits into a broader EU agenda that places security at the core of the single market’s resilience. Ireland’s presidency has pledged to advance the EU’s cyber‑security programme, strengthen border management, and deepen cooperation under the European Security Strategy. These priorities dovetail with existing EU instruments such as the Cybersecurity Act and the European Defence Fund, and they reflect the Union’s effort to balance free movement with robust safeguards for citizens and businesses. Commissioner Lahbib’s call to action anticipates concrete steps at the forthcoming European Council meeting on 20 October 2026, where leaders will consider a joint action plan on citizen security. The proposal is expected to translate into tighter standards for digital services and enhanced coordination on cross‑border threats, affecting both public authorities and private firms. Policymakers will need to align national measures with EU‑wide directives before the end‑year legislative deadline.

Source: European Commission. Read the original report ↗