Minister Byrne to set out Ireland’s EU budget priorities in Brussels

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is in Brussels today (18 July) to represent Ireland at the first official discussion of the EU’s 2027-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) at the General Affairs Council.

Minister Byrne will stress Ireland’s key objectives of maintaining the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a separate and strong policy, utilising the Future Competitiveness Fund to catalyse critical enablers of competitiveness like energy, connectivity and digital, and sustaining the long-term development and humanitarian spending in the EU budget.

Speaking ahead of the Council, Minister Byrne said: “Ireland wants to see a robust CAP with adequate EU funding that remains separate and ring-fenced. We’ve had good engagement with the Commission and Member States on shaping the future Competitiveness Fund, which we consider essential to keeping the EU competitive, productive and innovative for the years ahead.

Minister Byrne continued: “Ireland recognises security and defence and support for Ukraine as core EU interests. We will seek to avail of proposed tools that can contribute to improving Ireland and Europe’s security in a coordinated manner. It is also crucial that the EU maintains its leadership role as a development and humanitarian player by maintaining the levels of sustainable, long-term spending in the next MFF, as well as support for peace and building social cohesion. This remains a priority for Ireland.”

“We should not lose sight of the fact that the current MFF proposals are the beginning of a long process of negotiation. I look forward to advancing discussions on the MFF, as chair of the General Affairs Council, when Ireland assumes the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026.”

ENDS

Press Office

18 July 2025