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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 6

Written Answers - EU Funding.

David Stanton

Question:

14 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the Government's position on the negotiation of the next EU budget. [27940/98]

The European Commission has tabled proposals for a new financial perspective to cover the period 2000-2006. The financial perspective sets out the maximum amount which may be spent on any category of expenditure in a given year. Negotiations are on-going within Council, but it is fair to say that the perspective will only be agreed as part of the overall Agenda 2000 package — including such issues as agriculture and Structural Funding as well as enlargement financing, at the European Council in March 1999.

Clearly the implications of Agenda 2000, in terms of limiting expenditure under the Community budget, in such areas as agriculture and Structural Funds, are of major importance for Ireland. Ireland has expressed serious concern at the more recent proposal of some member states for "stabilisation" of expenditure, and about the suggestion of national co-financing in the Common Agriculture Policy. The issue of contributions to the Community budget is receiving examination as part of the negotiations.
The Government's strategy is based on the promotion of Ireland's strategic interests throughout the negotiations. As Deputies will appreciate, I cannot go into more details of our negotiating stance but I assure them we intend to protect our interests to the greatest degree possible.
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