European Commission to detail post-2020 budget proposals at EU Affairs Committee

The EU’s executive branch unveiled its “Budget for the Future” on May 2 and over the past month has published a series of more detailed documents proposing to reshape revenue collection policies and spending priorities in a post-Brexit union.

Tuesday’s meeting at noon in Committee Room 4, Leinster House, represents the first opportunity for Irish lawmakers to question the European Commission about these wide-ranging policy recommendations.

The witness will be Jennifer Brown, head of unit for the Directorate-General for Budget.

The European Commission’s proposals for the next seven-year budget plan, known formally as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), will be a central topic when government leaders gather June 28-29 for the European Council in Brussels. The European Commission is aiming for union-wide agreement on the next MFF by early 2019, when the United Kingdom is poised to leave the bloc, and in advance of the European Parliament elections.

"The European Commission is proposing many changes in how the EU collects funds from its members and prioritises spending on technological innovation and combatting climate change," said Committee Chairman Michael Healy-Rae TD.

"Committee members will be keen to explore the potential impact of the European Commission’s budgetary blueprint and to ensure that the EU remains adaptable and flexible and its core values are protected," Deputy Healy-Rae said. "For Ireland, we will need to look especially at the detail of the proposals around the Common Agricultural Policy and regional supports for rural areas, as well as the future of PEACE Programme funding for border regions."

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings also can be viewed live on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.