Cathy Bennett
Ceist:189. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will report on his engagement regarding the EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027. [73034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (189)
Freagraí scríofa
At the outset I will clarify the key roles and responsibilities across Government in relation to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I in my role as Minister for Finance jointly lead the development of Ireland’s positions in relation to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). As such it is my role to update Government regularly on negotiations, in close cooperation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State for European Affairs.
On 16 July and 3 September 2025, the European Commission published a series of proposals under the MFF 2028 – 2034 package, which launched the beginning of negotiations on the next long-term EU budget. Since then, Ministers and their officials across Government, led by my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been analysing, at pace, the complex range of proposals which seek to reshape and restructure the MFF, and which prioritise new and emerging demands within the Union such as competitiveness, security and defence.
The General Affairs Council, which is attended by the Minister of State for European Affairs, is the Council formation carrying forward MFF negotiations. It has discussed MFF at all meetings since July 2025.
ECOFIN Council, which is composed of Finance Ministers, is noted as having a particular interest in those negotiations, due to the substantial economic and financial impacts of the MFF.
Most notably, Finance Ministers hold responsibility for the Own Resources (revenue) legislation, as well as annual negotiations on that year’s EU budget. ECOFIN held an exchange of views on the own resources package in October 2025 and is expected to return to the topic in future months.
The MFF is on the agenda for the European Council meeting of 18 December, where leaders are expected to take stock of progress in negotiations to date, and look ahead to reaching a speedy agreement.
I and my colleagues across Government regularly engage with our counterparts at Ministerial level, within the European Commission, and with other important stakeholders, notably Members of the European Parliament, as part of our day-to-day work. MFF is a topic of interest to all, given its role as a catalyst for many Union policies, from the long-standing drivers of our prosperity in the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion, to the emerging needs of international security and global competitiveness.
In all these engagements, my colleagues in Government and I stress the areas of central importance to Ireland: most notably but not limited to a strong and ring-fenced Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy; continued support for the PEACE PLUS programme in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland; funding for competitiveness and excellent research; sustained support for Ukraine; continued development and humanitarian assistance; and a revenue system that is fair, equitable, simple and transparent, primarily based on Gross National Income. As part of the wider simplification drive, we must ensure reduced administrative burden for beneficiaries of EU funds.
Together with my colleagues across Government, I will continue my engagements with key negotiating partners, to communicate these core requirements that Ireland needs to see in the next MFF.