Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
487. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the proposed €40 billion innovation window in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework will be utilised to support Irish agricultural advancements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague the Minsiter for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has lead responsibility for the proposed new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). The ECF is, in turn, part of the proposals for the EU's 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in respect of which the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs and Trade have lead responsibility.
I welcome the Commission’s proposal for an ECF to invest in strategic technologies to benefit the entire Single Market, as recommended in the Letta and Draghi Reports.
Agriculture's specific objectives are set out and provided for in one of the four policy windows identified in the Commission’s proposal. Indeed, agriculture, health, biotechnology and bioeconomy all share funding within the same policy window, with a proposed fund of €20.4 billion.
The proposal is at a very early stage of negotiations. Until the final regulations and the wider MFF are adopted, it would be premature to set out how the ECF will be utilised, as this will depend on what Member States are permitted and required to deliver under the agreed legal framework.
My Department will continue to engage in inter-departmental collaboration in developing the Irish negotiating position on the ECF.
