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EU Financing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (84)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

77 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the consideration of proposals from the EU Commission for financing the EU in the post 2006 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8942/04]

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Written answers

The European Commission on 10 February last published its communication on its proposals for the future financing of the EU in the post-2006 period. Publication of the communication initiates a negotiation on the multi-annual framework for the EU budget, otherwise known as the financial perspective, for the period after 2006.

The current framework, known as Agenda 2000, covering the period 2000 to 2006, took some two years to negotiate. It can be expected that there will be a similarly protracted negotiation on the proposals now made in the Commission communication.

Overall guidance and the ultimate decision, at Council level, on future EU financing will be a matter for the European Council of heads of State or Government. While it will be too early for the European Council meeting this week to engage on the substance, the European Council is expected to endorse the general approach proposed by the Irish Presidency for handling these important negotiations. The European Council meeting in June will consider the issue again. The General Affairs and External Relations Council will have responsibility for handling the negotiations on behalf of the European Council.

The Irish Presidency has launched a process, whereby a thorough analysis of the Commission communication will be carried out by COREPER, the permanent representatives of the member states. This process began in late February and is expected to continue until May. This will allow sufficient time for finalisation of a report in advance of the June European Council.

The informal meeting of ECOFIN Council in April, which I will chair, will also have the opportunity to consider the Commission communication. The European Parliament will also play an important role in these discussions.

Question No. 78 answered with QuestionNo. 25.
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