.jpg)
The representative groups were joined by Irish Catholic bishops and senior Irish Protestant clergy for a meeting with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss their priorities for the EU Presidency.
COMECE and CEC have a long-standing practice of engaging with the Premier of each incoming EU Council Presidency under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which provides for regular dialogue between EU institutions and churches.
COMECE and CEC have called for greater action from the Irish Presidency in tackling poverty and social exclusion. They also want to see disability rights and housing exclusion addressed, vulnerable people to be supported, civil society to be protected and disinformation combatted.
In a position paper to the Irish Government, they called for continued EU support for Ukraine, greater efforts towards peace and reconciliation, adequate funding for humanitarian aid and development, and ethical oversight of increased defence spending.
On migration, they called for fair and humane asylum policies, expanded safe and legal migration routes, improved reception conditions and stronger action against human trafficking.
While they noted their support for boosting EU competitiveness, they said that growth should not come at the expense of social cohesion, climate action, rural development or human dignity.
They also emphasised that artificial intelligence and technological innovation must remain centred on people.
Unlike most NGOs, churches have a formal basis for dialogue under the treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The treaty commits EU institutions to maintaining an "open, transparent and regular dialogue" with churches and religious organisations which is why the Taoiseach met with COMECE and CEC.