European Tech Leaders Gather in Dublin to Chart Course for Irish Presidency of the EU Council

Technology Ireland, the Ibec group representing the Irish technology sector, is hosting over 35 European Tech Trade Associations CEOs from across Europe for the DIGITALEUROPE National Trade Association (NTA) Summit. The two-day summit (6–7 May) arrives at a critical juncture as industry leaders align on joint recommendations for the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The summit serves as a platform for DIGITALEUROPE—which represents over 56,000 businesses across 42 national trade associations and 120 corporations—to finalise a strategic roadmap for Europe’s digital future. Central to the discussions is a joint industry statement calling for a shift in EU policy: moving away from adding layers of complexity and toward a framework that prioritises cutting red tape and scaling investment.

Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director General of DIGITALEUROPE, stated:

“Europe is already delivering on its digital ambitions, from the inauguration of Lucy—the EU’s most powerful photonic quantum computer—to pioneering 6G projects. However, simplification alone is not enough. As we look toward the Irish Presidency, our message is clear: Europe must focus on two priorities—cutting and simplifying the regulatory framework while scaling investment and demand to compete globally. We count on the Irish Presidency to deliver a regulatory environment that truly supports our industrial ambitions.”

Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland, added:

“As the Irish member of DIGITALEUROPE, we are proud to host this summit in Dublin. Ireland’s position as a leading digital hub makes it perfectly placed to drive meaningful simplification across the EU’s digital framework. We are calling for the ‘Digital Omnibus’ to actively reduce fragmentation and ensure that B2B data sharing remains voluntary and based on contractual freedom, protecting the sensitive know-how of our innovative SMEs and scale-ups.”

Joint Industry Recommendations On the evening of May 6, the attending CEOs will agree on a set of formal recommendations for the Irish Presidency. Key pillars of the industry’s position include:

Cutting Regulatory Burden: Implementing a “Digital Omnibus” to address overlapping requirements, particularly within the AI Act and cybersecurity frameworks, which currently divert resources away from risk mitigation.

Harmonising Data Use: Seeking greater clarity on GDPR definitions to unlock the potential of AI and advanced analytics across Member States.

Scaling Investment & Demand: Rapidly expanding support from the European Investment Bank and kick-starting demand through joint, pan-European procurement to turn breakthroughs into industrial capability.

Securing Connectivity: Ensuring the evolving framework supports Europe’s digital backbone, including 5G, 6G, and satellite connectivity, without introducing additional burdens.

The summit will conclude on May 7, with the finalised recommendations set to be presented to Irish and EU policymakers ahead of the Presidency term.

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