Vol. 470 No. 8
34 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will immediately place the long-term future of the EU budget on the agenda for Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20052/96]
The current financial perspectives, which provide a long-term framework for the European Union budget, were agreed at the European Council at Edinburgh in December 1993, and run from 1994 to 1999. It has been agreed at European Council level that the negotiations on the next round of financial perspectives, which will run from 2000, will not commence until the current Intergovernmental Conference on the revision of the Treaties has reached a conclusion. Present indications are that this is likely to occur at the end of the forthcoming Netherlands Presidency, in June 1997. Consequently, negotiations on the next round of financial perspectives are not likely to commence until the beginning of the Luxembourg Presidency in the second half of 1997, at the earliest. They are not therefore a matter for the current Irish Presidency.
Ireland's approach to the negotiations is already under active consideration. When they commence the Government will ensure that Ireland's interests are vigorously and effectively pursued and that economic achievements to date are further maintained and developed.
