Minister for European Affairs to update EU Committee on Brexit, budget efforts

Minister McEntee is scheduled to begin her presentation at 2 p.m. in Committee Room 3.

Besides Brexit and the budget, she also is expected to discuss potential EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and the government’s thoughts on how the European Union might develop in the coming decade.

Wednesday’s meeting follows the European Commission publication last month of a “Budget for the Future” that proposed a raft of revenue reforms and spending priorities for 2021-2027. Minister McEntee is expected to represent Ireland at the General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg June 26, where that budget vision will be discussed with other ministers.

The European Commission is aiming for EU-wide agreement on the 2021-2027 budget plan, formally called the Multiannual Financial Framework, by early 2019 in advance of the European Parliament elections.

“Brexit will present serious funding challenges for the EU budget, with the very real prospect of member states either paying more, or the EU having less to spend,” said Committee Chairman Michael Healy-Rae TD.

“Committee members will be interested to hear the government’s view on the likely budgetary cost of Brexit, Ireland’s future financial contributions, and the potential for the EU’s emerging budgetary framework to address these challenges without weakening fundamental commitments and supports.”

Wednesday’s meeting can be viewed live here.

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