Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To the best of my knowledge, the outliers, if I might use that term in the context of those resisting a commitment to increasing the budget contribution, include the Dutch, the Danes, the Austrians and, if I am not mistaken, the Swedes. As the Taoiseach stated, we are committed to contributing more to the EU budget. The Deputy's figures relating to the consequences of the UK departure are slightly conservative, as this could be in excess of €4 billion. As I stated, yesterday I had a meeting with the Dutch Minister and I have had bilateral meetings with the Danish and Austrian Ministers. I engage on a rolling basis in bilateral meetings with all Ministers across Europe, and I will continue to do so. Officials in my Department also meet their counterparts.

This is of enormous financial importance. The point is very often lost that we are net contributors to the EU budget; we pay more than we receive. However, in the agriculture area, the pattern in skewed in the other direction and we get more from the CAP than we contribute to that budget. It is very important and we are working effectively and diligently to try to ensure an adequately funded CAP.

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