Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

It is important to briefly set out the process. The Commission will publish the proposal next Wednesday. Ultimately, it is a matter for the leaders to agree this, in conjunction with the European Parliament. Over the next year and A half, starting on 18 July, governments will discuss the Commission's proposal and, in effect, negotiate it. Next Wednesday's proposal should be seen as the first outing. We will have a ministerial meeting two days later and that is the very start of the process. During our Presidency, Ireland will play a key role in those negotiations.

In terms of our external policies, the Minister has outlined the support the EU has given to, for example, Palestine and UNRWA. From Ireland's point of view, we want to make sure that the MFF maintains the EU's leadership in providing development and humanitarian assistance. That was a point I made, whether for war-torn situations or for the likes of Gavi. Regarding defence, we see a continued role for the MFF to build on investments under way to enhance our collective defence, in particular infrastructure, research and development and co-ordinated action.

See this speech in context