It is likely Ireland will be a big beneficiary of the deal, Minister of State Thomas Byrne says. However, European Commission officials were publicly and privately critical of the Government decision. Peter Power, the head of the European Commission representation in Ireland, told RTÉ Radio that Ireland’s concerns had been listened to and accommodated. “It is a big disappointment,” he said, questioning whether the deal would now go through at all. Two senior commission officials separately expressed the view it would specifically harm relations between the Government and commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Source: The Irish Times January 09, 2026 08:45 UTC