Ireland is big tech's lapdog – and that compromises its EU presidency
An opinion piece argues that Ireland's close ties to big tech companies harm its credibility as it takes on the EU presidency, suggesting the country prioritises corporate interests over European digital sovereignty.
Background
Ireland hosts the European headquarters of nearly all major US tech companies (Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter/X) due to a famously low 12.5% corporate tax rate and a business-friendly regulatory environment. As a result, the Irish economy is deeply dependent on these firms' revenue and jobs. The EU's rotating presidency (which Ireland holds in mid-2026) sets the bloc's legislative agenda and chairs meetings — it's a powerful temporary role. Critics argue Ireland's pro-big-tech stance clashes with the EU's push for "digital sovereignty" (regulating US tech giants more strictly, e.g. via the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act). This piece argues Ireland is too compromised to lead on digital policy impartially.