Most of us know what it feels like when we have a sense of belonging. Belonging is not about fitting in. It is about feeling accepted, valued and included. In the workplace, belonging influences how safe people feel about speaking up, how motivated they are to contribute, and how likely they are to stay, progress and excel. We also know what the absence of belonging feels like. It’s holding back in meetings. The sense that your contribution doesn’t quite land or is fully appreciated. It's never being fully at ease or hiding your authentic self. Over time, that disconnection takes a toll on our confidence, motivation and wellbeing. As organisations navigate ongoing change, hybrid work and rising complexity, belonging has emerged as a core element of workplace wellbeing, and one of the clearest signals of a healthy workplace culture. The link between belonging and wellbeingWellbeing is often framed as something individual, personal and singular. But in actuality, our wellbeing is shaped just as much by relationships and environment as by personal habits. People are more likely to feel good at work when they feel accepted and valued. Belonging lowers stress, builds psychological safety and makes it easier to ask for help when things get tough. When challenges arise – as they always do – a sense of connection acts as a buffer. Conversely, when people feel excluded, overlooked or invisible, the impact is quiet at first, but long-term disengagement creeps in. This is when ‘quiet quitting’, absenteeism and turnover shows up. Belonging is livedMany organisations have invested time and effort in diversity and inclusion work, often focusing on policies, representation and formal commitments. By prioritising inclusion, employees feel valued and supported which leads to stronger team cohesion and a positive organisational culture. But belonging goes a step further. Belonging is about everyday experiences and interactions: Do people feel safe sharing ideas or concerns? Are different perspectives genuinely welcomed? Is flexibility applied fairly and consistently? Do people believe their work and contributions matter? Belonging is subtle, it develops and grows in daily interactions and in the small signals about what is valued and who is heard. The power of leadership behaviour Leaders and management often underestimate how much their words, tone and behaviour shape belonging. Small moments matter, it's how a manager reacts to a mistake, whose voice is acknowledged in a meeting, and whether personal circumstances are met with understanding or impatience. Belonging is built when leadership teams: Listen without rushing to respond Show curiosity about different views and experiences Acknowledge effort, not just results Are honest and transparent, especially when decisions are difficult Model healthy boundaries and respect Belonging in the changing ways of working Hybrid work has brought welcomed flexibility, but it has also changed how belonging is created and developed. Informal moments, shared context and visibility don’t happen as easily when teams are dispersed. This means fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging needs to be a more deliberate and considered process. Belonging depends on fairness, clarity and trust. When flexibility feels uneven or communication is inconsistent, people can quickly feel left out or undervalued. When expectations and standards are clear and fair, connections can thrive. Psychological safety: Where belonging becomes real For belonging to truly thrive in the workplace, there needs to be a psychologically safe culture. This is a term that is gaining popularity in organisational psychology, but at its essence, it is about creating an environment where learning, honesty, and growth are possible. At a practical level, belonging shows up as psychological safety. People feel they belong when they can ask questions, challenge ideas, admit mistakes or say they’re struggling without fear. Psychological safety isn’t about lowering standards, but it is about allowing employees to feel like they can ask questions, challenge ideas, admit mistakes or say they’re struggling without fear, reprisal or stigma.  Teams with high psychological safety tend to be more engaged, more resilient and better at navigating change. They are also healthier places to work. Belonging in the everyday National Workplace Wellbeing Day doesn’t need to be busy or performative to be meaningful. Creating space for honest conversation, and really actively listening to what comes back, is a powerful starting point. Belonging can’t be delivered by HR alone, and it can’t be confined to a single day or week. It’s built in everyday choices. How work is designed, how pressure is managed, how people are treated when things aren’t going well. This year’s theme is a reminder that wellbeing isn’t just about individual strength. When people feel they belong, work becomes more human, more sustainable and more meaningful – for individuals and for organisations alike. If you would like some advice on workplace wellbeing or on your own personal wellbeing, the Thrive wellbeing team is professionally trained to offer wellbeing advice and support to help you on your wellbeing journey.  You can contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.  

This week we update you on payments on account due on or before 31 July 2026, HMRC has published the final two sections of the Using Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax manual, and you can book onto a forthcoming HMRC MTD for Income Tax webinar.2025/26 payments on account (POAs): 31 July 2026 payment deadline  Earlier in the year HMRC alerted us to the treatment of POAs and balancing payments for taxpayers currently in testing and provided information on how these may be split between the new MTD service and the previous non-MTD Self-Assessment service. This reflects the way charge details are currently held across MTD and non-MTD Self-Assessment services as HMRC migrates taxpayer records from its legacy systems onto HMRC’s new strategic tax management platform. As a result, taxpayers will still need to access both the new MTD Service and the previous non-MTD Self-Assessment service using their Personal Tax Account (PTA) or Business Tax Account (BTA) to see their total balance. At the beginning of 2026 HMRC wrote to taxpayers setting out the steps they needed to take to see their full position and meet their POA obligations.  As the second 2025/26 POA is due on or before 31 July 2026, HMRC is issuing a reminder to those affected that they may still need to take additional steps to check their full POA position.   HMRC has again written to taxpayers about this, with letters expected to begin landing on doormats from last week. The letter explains the steps they need to take to check their full balance and make the POA by the due date. It will also highlight the importance of checking these details and makes clear that interest will apply where payments are not made by the due date.  MTD for Income Tax updated guidance  HMRC has also now updated the final two sections of the Using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax manual. This covers: ‘Send quarterly updates’ which clarifies how quarterly updates cover the tax year, explains when to send updates, the impact of missing deadlines, and how to make changes after the fourth quarterly update, and  ‘Submit your tax return’ which explains how to resolve calculation or software errors, submit your previous year’s tax return, and agent responsibilities.WebinarsHMRC is also holding a range of webinars on MTD for Income Tax in the coming weeks as follows: • for businesses: 'How to get ready for MTD if you are a business', and• if you receive income from property, 'Get ready for Making Tax Digital – landlords and joint property owners'.These will cover:the requirements of MTD for Income Tax,practical steps you can take to prepare your business,the rules, who will be affected and when,making informed software choices,authorising your agent, and signing up to MTD, andutilising any benefits and opportunities.

In this week’s detailed miscellaneous updates which you can read more about below, HMRC has sent a reminder about the recovery of 2025 Winter Fuel payments, the latest Agent Update is available and HMRC is hosting a range of webinars this which will be of particular interest to agents. In addition to the above, readers should also note the following: in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government announced a package of measures intended to clamp down on illegal high street activity. A Press Release published last week confirms that the 350 investigators have now been recruited and are working “to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity on the high street”,the House of Commons Library has published a research briefing about the UK tax system, the role of the Budget and sources of advice for taxpayers. the Government has announced the release of GOV.UK Chat; a new AI tool get answers drawn from official Government information, andTax Policy Associates has published an article ‘Why does Britain have more taxes than at any time since 1834?’ The Government has released GOV.UK Chat – a new AI tool that lets people ask questions in plain language and get answers drawn from official Government information. HMRC reminder: recovery of 2025 Winter Fuel payments HMRC has issued a reminder about how the changes introduced for Winter Fuel payments, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payments in Scotland, will impact pensioners moving forward. The reminder reads as  follows: “Recovery of 2025 Winter Fuel PaymentsThe change in 2025 meant that if a pensioner’s individual total income for the 2025/26 tax year was: £35,000 or less, they will keep their 2025 paymentmore than £35,000, HMRC will recover their 2025 payment If the pensioner lived in a household with someone else who also received a payment, HMRC look at each person’s individual income and Winter Fuel Payment entitlement separately. For example, if Person A earns £36,000 and Person B earns £22,000, HMRC will take back the payment from Person A, but Person B will keep their payment. Pensioners on PAYE with income above £35,000 are currently having the winter 2025/26 payments recovered during the 2026/27 tax year. Anyone who expects their total individual income from their private pension, state pension and any other sources to be over £35,000, can opt out of future payments rather than have HMRC take them back. Opting out of future paymentsOpting out is a quick and simple process.  Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can opt out of receiving future Winter Fuel Payments via DWP’s online form, which is available on GOV.UK.  A telephone option is also available. Pensioners who live in Scotland will need to inform Social Security Scotland that they want to opt out of receiving Pension Age Winter Heating Payments. More information is available on MYGOV.SCOT. Pensioners will be opted out until they request to be opted back in, which they can do at any time, should their circumstances change in the future. HMRC have provided a calculator on GOV.UK to help customers work out if their total income will be over £35,000. Pay As You Earn (PAYE) recoveryHMRC issued updated tax code notifications, which reflected recovery of the Winter Fuel Payment in early April, and will automatically collect the payment through the revised tax code during the 2026/27 tax year.  Pensioners do not need to take any action or call HMRC. For a typical payment of £200, HMRC will deduct approximately £17 per month of additional tax. Self Assessment recoveryHMRC will collect the payment through a pensioners Self Assessment tax return for 2025/26. Guidance is available in the Tax Return Notes. For online filers, where possible, HMRC will include the 2025/26 payment on their online Self Assessment return which is due by 31 January 2027. It will show as a Winter Fuel Payment charge, pensioners should check if their winter payment is on the online return and, if not, include it themselves. Paper filers will need to include it on their paper return, which is due by 31 October 2026. Recovery in future years for PAYE customersFor PAYE customers who receive a Winter Fuel Payment for 2026/27, HMRC will begin to collect future Winter Fuel Payments in advance from April 2027. For example, the winter 2027/28 payment will start to be recovered in their tax code from April 2027. This means some pensioners may find that amounts relating to more than one year are collected in 2027/28. For example, in cases where both 2026/27 and 2027/28 payments are included, this would result in two amounts being recovered within the same tax year. Pensioners likely to face the double recovery in 2027/28 can act now to avoid this by opting out. More information and supportGeneral information on Winter Fuel Payments can be found on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment. General information on Pension Age Winter Heating Payments can be found on MYGOV.SCOT at www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment. Further information on HMRC’s recovery approach can be found on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/guidance/paying-back-the-winter-fuel-payment.” Agent Update 144Agent Update: Issue 144 is available now. Get the latest guidance and information including: tax fraud warning: attempts to use 'Bills of Exchange' to pay HMRC,the launch of digital carnets on 1‌‌‌ June‌‌‌ 2026,The upcoming employment related securities end of year return deadline,update on HMRC compliance activity for creative tax reliefs, andborderline excepted estates: supporting agents to get Inheritance Tax reporting right. Upcoming HMRC webinarsHMRC are hosting two webinars on strengthened powers to tackle tax advisers who facilitate non-compliance. The webinars are available for booking now on: Wednesday 24 June at 1.45pm, or Thursday 9 July at 11.45am Each session will cover: what counts as a tax adviser, what is sanctionable conduct, what happens if HMRC identifies sanctionable behaviour, and New powers which enable HMRC to publish information about tax advisers, There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

In this week’s cross-border trading corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available as is the latest Brexit and Beyond newsletter from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs team. It has been announced that the second UK-EU summit will be held next month on 22 July in Brussels and the House of Lords European Affairs Committee recently heard evidence on parliamentary scrutiny of UK dynamic alignment with EU rules. Last week, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee published its report on 'Cultural touring in the EU' with Committee Members calling on the Government to work with the EU to break down barriers to touring and to boost domestic support for performers. The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee also recently held the first oral evidence session of its inquiry into ‘Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework’.Miscellaneous guidance updates and publicationsThis week’s miscellaneous guidance updates and publications are as follows:Notices made under s32A of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018,Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020,UK Trade Tariff: duty suspensions and autonomous tariff quotas,Joint statement from the Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions, 4 June 2026,Import Control System 2: service availability and issues,Notices made under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018,Make and manage an export declaration online: service availability and issues,External temporary storage facilities codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service,Making an entry summary declaration,Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, andAppendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

Mandatory payrolling of the majority of benefits in kind (BIKs), except for employment-related loans and accommodation, was due to commence from April 2027. However, last week the Government announced a phased timeline for implementation. The timeline for delivery has now been published in a HMRC manual which also includes interim guidance and legislation. In light of concerns raised with the Government and based on stakeholder feedback, including from Chartered Accountants Ireland, the Government is now introducing mandatory payrolling on a phased basis. Chartered Accountants Ireland is represented on the HMRC Employer and Payroll stakeholder forum which discusses this and related issues.Under the newly announced phased approach: company car, van, fuel and medical BIKs will need to be payrolled from 6 April 2027, andall other benefits, except for employment related loans and accommodation, will be payrolled from 6 April 2028.  The payrolling of these will remain voluntary until further notice.  Guidance is still awaited from HMRC on how Class 1A employer’s NIC will be calculated and reported in real time. HMRC has also advised that the interim guidance published last week will be further updated ahead of finalisation in the Autumn.

A manual for MNE groups on Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) compliance obligations has been published. This manual provides an overview of the compliance obligations under Pillar Two in 14 Member States, including Ireland, covering registration, filing of returns and payment of top-up taxes. 

At the recent TALC Indirect Taxes subcommittee meeting, Revenue reminded practitioner members that notification letters were issued in April to relevant taxpayers in Revenue’s Large Cases Division, who are likely to fall within phase one of VAT modernisation rollout in Ireland. Agents were also issued with a tailored notice at the time.Revenue reported that there has been a relatively low level of engagement since the letters were issued and encouraged the representative bodies at the meeting to urge members to encourage clients to review the correspondence and engage with Revenue as required.Further information is included in our earlier newsletter item and businesses or agents with any questions, are encouraged to email VATmodernisation@revenue.ie. 

Last week, we continued our engagement with members of Dáil Éireann on this year’s Pre-Budget 2027 Submission. On Wednesday, we met Albert Dolan TD to discuss our proposals. Albert is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of several Oireachtas committees, including the Committee on Public Accounts. We had a wide-ranging discussion on various aspects of this year’s submission, and we are very grateful to Mr Dolan for taking the time to join us on Pearse Street.Later in the week, the team visited Leinster House to meet with Shay Brennan TD. Shay is a Chartered Accountant and a member of several Oireachtas committees, including the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. That committee, whose membership includes Edward Timmins TD (also a Chartered Accountant), was responsible for producing the report following the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Finance (Tax Appeals and Fiscal Responsibility) Bill 2025, which included a recommendation to maintain the status quo on taxpayers’ right to request private hearings. We will be continuing our engagement with officials throughout the summer, including a meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris TD later in the summer. As always, we will be keeping you updated here.

The OECD has published the June 2026 update of the enhanced monitoring report on the Implementation of the Standard on Transparency and Exchange of Information on Request (EORI). This report presents consolidated outcomes of the enhanced monitoring process for 39 jurisdictions. 

The OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs is seeking feedback from stakeholders on proposed revisions to its Transfer Pricing Guidelines aimed at ensuring alignment between the guidance on intra-group services and the overall principles of transfer pricing as set by the OECD. Interested parties are invited to submit relevant comments by Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

The OECD has published a consultation document on proposed targeted amendments to the Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms. Interested parties are invited to submit their comments on the proposed changes by 14 August 2026. 

With Ireland set to take up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in July, it is a useful time to reflect on what the EU is, what it does and how it works.The EU is an economic and political partnership made up of 27 European Member States and with a total population of over 450 million people. It was founded by six member countries in 1957 and has grown over time. Its key foundational documents are the Maastricht Treaty passed in 1992 which created the EU (previously the European Communities) and the Lisbon Treaty of 2007.These treaties underpin the institutions, procedures and rules of the EU. There are seven main institutions of the EU and a multitude of other offices, bodies and agencies.The main political institutions are the European Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.The European CouncilThe Council is comprised of the heads of State or heads of Government from each Member State, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The current President of the European Council is António Costa. The Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU. The Council is not involved in the legislative process but it does adopt changes to EU Treaties.The CommissionThe Commission is the main executive body of the EU and is made up of appointees from the 27 Member States. They are nominated by governments and ratified by the European Parliament and serve a term of five years. The Commissioners taken together are called the College of Commissioners. They are led by the President of the European Commission and various Vice Presidents.The current President is Ursula von der Leyen and Ireland’s current Commissioner is former Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath.The Commission is solely responsible for bringing forward new proposals, which are then ratified or agreed by both the Parliament and the Council of the European Union.The Commission is also responsible for managing EU policies and ensuring European laws are adhered to by Member States. In addition, the Commission is responsible for negotiating trade agreements, which subsequently must be ratified by both the Council and the Parliament. The Parliament cannot amend the text of a trade agreement; it can only accept it or not accept it.The Council of the European UnionThis Council represents the governments of all Member States and unlike the European Council, the Council of the EU is involved in the legislative process. It, along with the Parliament, must ratify proposals from the Commission in order for them to become law. Ministers from each Member State meet in different configurations. For example, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) is represented by the Minister for Finance.The ParliamentThe European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. There are currently 720 MEPs, of which Ireland has 13. MEPs are elected for a five-year term and generally organise into party groupings within the Parliament. The Parliament is responsible, along with Council of the European Union, for ratifying proposals from the Commission. The Parliament is also responsible for approving the nominations to the Commission including the President of the Commission. The Parliament has the power to remove the Commission also. While this has never formally happened, in 1999 the Commission was forced to resign following pressure from the Parliament. Different types of lawsRegulationsRegulations are binding on every Member State. They do not require Member States to enact domestic law for them to become effective. Regulations are used in particular when it is necessary for rules to be applied consistently across all Member States.DirectivesDirectives are binding objectives placed on Member States. Very often they require Member States to transpose laws at a domestic level to implement the Directives. Sometimes national discretion is permitted in certain areas under Directives. This discretion does not exist under Regulations.Decisions, recommendations and opinionsDecisions are binding on those they are addressed to (sometimes a Member State), while recommendations and opinions are not binding.How Regulations and Directives become lawThere are two procedures for passing EU Laws, the ordinary procedure (used for 95% of EU Law) and the special procedure. With the ordinary procedure both the Council and the Parliament act as co-legislators. Proposals announced by the Commission are sent to both the Parliament and the Council. If both Parliament and Council agree, then the proposals are ratified and become law. Mostly, however, both Parliament and Council will propose amendments. If no agreement is found, then the process can enter into what is known as the trilogue. These are informal meetings where representatives from the Commission, the Council and the Parliament negotiate over the proposals. If agreement is found, then the proposals can be ratified.For the special procedure, the Council will act as the main decision maker, usually deciding on the basis of a Commission proposal. The Parliament is not a co-legislator but must be consulted or give its consent.The special procedure is reserved for certain areas of law. The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is the EU’s Budget, follows the special procedure.There are two forms of special procedure, consent procedure and consultation procedure. With the consent procedure, the Council can adopt a law after obtaining the consent of Parliament. Parliament cannot amend the text but can approve or reject it. With the consultation procedure, Parliament can offer an opinion, but Council is not obliged to follow it.What is Ireland’s Presidency and what does it mean?When we refer to Ireland’s Presidency, we refer to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As discussed above, the Commission, the Parliament and the European Council all have individuals in the position of President (Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and António Costa respectively). The Council of the European Union, on the other hand, rotates its Presidency every six months among the 27 Member States. The last time Ireland held the Presidency was in 2013 and it is set to take up the Presidency on 1 July and will hold it until 31 December 2026. After this Ireland will not hold the Presidency for over 13 years, maybe longer if more countries join the EU.What does the Member State that holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union actually do?The main purpose of the Presidency is to drive the legislative process forward. In that task, it plans, coordinates and chairs meetings, it acts as an honest broker between Member States and it negotiates with the Commission and the Parliament.While the Presidency does not have authority to dictate the direction of travel for the EU, it can set out its legislative priorities for the next six months. This may involve identifying certain proposals that it wishes to advance or get ratified.The Presidency, in its role in coordinating meetings, will host many meetings over the six months. Most meetings will continue to be held in Brussels but the Member State holding the Presidency will host a number of high-profile Council meetings.What are the policies that you should look out for during Ireland’s Presidency?Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)This is the Budget for the EU. The current proposal from the Commission amounts to €2 trillion and covers the period from 2028 to 2034. It was proposed in July 2025 and it is targeted for ratification by the end of 2026.EU Inc.EU Inc. (previously known as the 28th Regime) was launched in March 2026 and targeted for ratification by the end of 2026. EU Inc. aims to create a single set of corporate rules that will apply across the EU. It will enable a company registered as an EU Inc. to be recognised in every Member State.You can view the Institute's EU Inc. factsheet here.Pan European Personal Pension RegulationThis was launched in November 2025 as part of the Savings and Investment Union and is expected to be ratified by the end of 2026. The package of measures is designed to help citizens secure adequate income in retirement by improving access to better and more effective supplementary pensions.Market Integration and Supervision RegulationA fundamental component of the Savings and Investment Union, these proposals were launched in December 2025, and it is hoped that they will be finalised by the end of 2026. Capital markets in the EU remain fragmented, relatively small and they lack competitiveness when compared with other countries and jurisdictions. The proposals intend to simplify the EU regulatory and supervisory framework.EU Securitisation Framework It was launched in June 2025 and is targeted for ratification by the end of 2026. The package of measures is designed to make the EU Securitisation Framework simpler and more fit for purpose. The proposed measures seek to facilitate securitisation activity in the EU while continuing to safeguard financial stability.Tax OmnibusThe Tax Omnibus proposal is due to be published in June 2026 and adopted by Quarter 4 2027. The aim of the proposal is to streamline, enhance and clarify various existing Tax Directives such as the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive.Industrial Accelerator ActThis was proposed in March 2026 and is targeted for ratification by the end of 2026. Its intention is to increase demand for low-carbon, European-made technologies and products. It is intended the measures will boost manufacturing, support business growth and create jobs in the EU.European Grids PackageIt was proposed in December 2025 with the aim of being ratified by Quarter 3 2026. The package is aimed at addressing key challenges for cross-border energy infrastructure in the EU.Market Stability ReserveThis is related to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). It was proposed in April 2026 with the aim of being ratified by the end of the year. The Market Stability Reserve enables a stable, well-functioning carbon market.Digital EuroThis was proposed in 2023 with the aim of being ratified by the end of 2026. The Digital Euro is a form of digital cash and will offer greater choice to consumers and businesses in situations where physical cash cannot be used. It will be another means of payment. European Business WalletThis was proposed in November 2025 and it is hoped it will be ratified by the end of 2026. Once ratified, it will take a number of years to become operational. The Digital Wallet is designed to ease the administrative burden for businesses. Businesses who choose to use the Wallet will be able to check the identity of others and prove their own identity and create, store and share documents they can trust. Companies will also be able to digitally sign documents.EU Cybersecurity ActThe new proposals were launched in January 2026 and are expected to be ratified by the end of 2026. The package is designed to further strengthen the EU’s cybersecurity reliance and capabilities.What are the policy priorities for the Irish Presidency?Last week the Government published its much-anticipated priorities for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is set to commence on 1 July 2026.The Government set out its agenda for the six-month Presidency focusing on the key areas of competitiveness, values and security.Last December, the Institute made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on what an Irish Presidency should focus on with regulatory simplification and competitiveness placed front and centre.The Institute, therefore, welcomes the clear priority placed on competitiveness by the Government and is encouraged that there is particular focus on progressing the EU Inc. proposals as well as the Savings and Investment Union during the Presidency.In March, the EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, launched EU Inc., a new optional European-wide company framework designed to make it easier for companies to be established and scale up in the EU.As outlined previously, the Institute described the EU Inc. proposals as representing a major opportunity for Irish SMEs to scale and compete more easily across the Single Market. Coupled with EU Inc., Irish businesses need access to finance to grow and scale and currently Europe’s capital markets are fragmented and disjointed. That is why it is important that both the Savings and Investment Union and EU Inc. proposals are ratified as soon as possible and the priority placed on them by the Government is to be welcomed.Institute’s position on Ireland’s PresidencyChartered Accountants Ireland made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on what we believe Ireland should prioritise during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.Ireland, as a small, open economy with deep global connections and proven strengths in digital leadership and sustainability, is uniquely positioned to champion a Presidency focused on unlocking Europe’s full potential. At a time of intense global competition, Ireland should lead a solutions-driven agenda that prioritises competitiveness and regulatory simplification – cutting unnecessary complexity, fostering innovation, and enabling businesses to scale across the Single Market. Under the theme ‘Delivering a competitive, secure and future-ready Europe’, Ireland can drive coherence, consistency and long-term resilience, ensuring Europe remains agile, prosperous and globally influential.You can read the Institute's submission on Ireland's Presidency here.