H.E. Mr. Lars Thuesen:

I thank the Deputy. He asked about the MFF and the budget. We used to be a part of the frugal four or five or however many it was in the end. We are not there any longer. We think we have reached the point in the EU where there are so many challenges we need more European action. Action requires financial resources. Like Ireland, we are a net contributor to the EU budget and have been for many years, which is only fair. Like Ireland, we are a rich nation and we benefit enormously from the Single Market. It is important, as a small country, that we have a Single Market, rule of law for our companies and so on.

We have changed our position when it comes to the budget. What we would like to see, as a country and not the Presidency, and it will be very hard, is the modernisation of the budget. I will say something that is going to be controversial to Irish ears. We are spending one third of the EU's budget on the Common Agriculture Policy. We are spending one third on cohesion policy. That leaves another third to all the other different policies of the European Union. As a country and as holders of the Presidency, we do not think that these are the right priorities when looking at the future sectors and future needs of the European Union. We will be the honest broker and do our best to make ends meet. As I said before, this will not be concluded during our Presidency. It might be concluded during the Irish Presidency. I know Ireland will be an honest broker as well.

If Ireland wants to have its national priorities heard, it should probably do it during the coming Presidencies because it becomes a lot more difficult when it holds the Presidency of the EU. The national delegation will be a lot quieter. In fact, during the Danish Presidency, it will be an exception that Denmark will take the floor. It will only happen if we have something vital on the table. If Ireland wants to promote its national interests now or during the Cyprus Presidency, it will be a different game when Ireland takes over the Presidency.