Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2005
35 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposals put forward by the EU Presidency for the Union’s next seven year budget plan; if the proposal will lead to significant cuts in EU funding for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18275/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Luxembourg Presidency has recently put forward a package of proposals on the next financial perspective for the EU budget for the period 2007-13. The Presidency sees its proposals as a compromise package which would form the basis of political agreement at the European Council of heads of state or government in Brussels on 16 and 17 June next. The package incorporates cuts in all the expenditure headings originally proposed by the Commission. Among the areas targeted by the Presidency for cuts is the Common Agricultural Policy, a policy crucial to Ireland. Ireland has insisted that the final deal must provide a firm financial foundation for the CAP and that the October 2002 agreement of the European Council with regard to the financing of the CAP up to 2013 must be respected.
