Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their statements and contributions to this important debate. As the Taoiseach outlined, discussion on the MFF and the next generation EU recovery package will form the focus of this week's European Council. The goal of the Council President, Mr. Charles Michel, is to bring to a conclusion the process that began with the Commission's presentation of its proposals for the MFF in May 2018. Since then, discussions have taken place at the General Affairs Council and at successive meetings of the European Council. The last time the European Council met physically to discuss the MFF was in Brussels on 20 February. In the weeks and months since then, the EU has been faced with the extraordinary circumstances of the global pandemic and the associated unparalleled economic impacts. It quickly became obvious that the MFF proposals would not be sufficient to meet this exceptional challenge and that additional measures were required to support Europe's recovery.

On 23 April, EU leaders agreed to ask the EU Commission to make a proposal for an ambitious recovery fund that would be commensurate to the scale of the challenge as well as a revised proposal for the MFF. The European Commission subsequently published a package in response on 27 May. Leaders had a first opportunity to discuss these proposals at the European Council meeting on 19 June. Further discussions have taken place since then at the General Affairs Council, which has held detailed discussions on the MFF from the outset.

Today, the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Thomas Byrne, is attending a meeting of the General Affairs Council by videoconference with the main aim of preparing for the leaders' meeting this Friday.

As the Taoiseach said, Ireland's strongly supports an ambitious MFF and recovery fund. We recognise that the unprecedented challenge we face demands an unprecedented and collective response. Ireland will approach these discussions in a constructive manner with the aim of reaching agreement. However, the final package must be fair and balanced and must reflect Ireland's needs. The Taoiseach has set out Ireland's priorities in these discussions. We will seek to maintain the CAP budget and ensure that other priorities such as climate action and programmes, including Horizon Europe, Erasmus and PEACE PLUS, are properly funded. The CAP continues to be vital to Ireland. The collapse of exports and prices as a result of the Covid-19 crisis has created considerable difficulties for farmers. Farmers also face further disruption by the prospect of Brexit.

Our strong economic performance in recent years means that Ireland is now a net contributor to the EU budget. That strong economic performance has been facilitated by our EU membership. It is appropriate, therefore, that we should contribute more. However, we should not take our economic strength for granted. In addition to the impact of Covid-19, Brexit will affect Ireland disproportionately in the period ahead. I join the Taoiseach in welcoming the proposals of the Council President, Mr. Michel, for a new Brexit adjustment reserve as part of the overall package that leaders will discuss this week.

I reiterate our hope that it will be possible to make positive progress at this week's European Council meeting in order that the EU and all member states will have the tools and supports necessary to meet the significant challenges ahead.

See this speech in context