Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
86. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he will make to the European Council and Commission on the possible €14 billion gap in the EU budget following Brexit; the way in which this will impact on Ireland's net contribution to EU finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3946/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the EU negotiating directives have provided for a clear structure and a united EU approach to Brexit negotiations. In practice, there have been six negotiation rounds between the EU and the UK, between June and November 2017. Sufficient progress was made at the European Council meeting held on 15 December 2017, allowing negotiations to proceed to the second phase. Work will now focus on agreeing transitional arrangements and the framework for the EU’s future relationship with the UK as well as ensuring that the commitments made in phase one on citizens’ rights, the financial settlement and the Irish specific issues are given legal effect in the Withdrawal Agreement. This is an important next step as the Withdrawal Agreement will be legally binding and will reflect the principles and commitments agreed in phase one.
Brexit negotiations are currently on-going. Therefore, as you can appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss those negotiations or the potential impact on Ireland's net contribution to the EU Budget in detail at this point. Ireland welcomes that the UK has agreed to honour its share of the financing of all the obligations while it was a member of the Union, in relation to the EU budget (and in particular the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020), which will enable a positive future relationship between the EU and the UK.
My Department currently forecasts that Ireland's contribution to the EU budget will be €2,650 million in 2018, €2,675 million in 2019 and €2,750 million in 2020. It is worth noting that these forecasts are contingent on a number of variables, including updated GNI forecasts, the size of the overall EU budget for the year and other EU budget operational developments which will only emerge as the year progresses. As a result, all forecasts will be monitored and updated on an ongoing basis as new information becomes available.
