Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting with the EU budget Commissioner on 25 June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37909/25]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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On 25 June, I met the EU Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, in Brussels. The meeting was an important opportunity to set out Ireland’s preliminary views on the post-2027 multi-annual financial framework, MFF, in advance of the proposal of the Commission being published next Wednesday. During this meeting, I called on the Commissioner to ensure a robustly funded and separate, strong and ring-fenced Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. As a thriving sector of our economy, I stressed the importance of CAP in sustaining jobs and rural communities and strengthening food security across Europe.

In addition, the Commissioner and I discussed the competitiveness fund. I called for a strong focus on digital, connectivity and infrastructure, which are key enablers to improving productivity, innovation and competitiveness. I also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring a separate and ring-fenced horizon programme, which provides for excellent research, transnational collaboration and innovation.

In the context of security and defence, which will play a significant role in the next MFF, I advocated that the Commission take into account the specificities of island and peripheral regions with large maritime areas and subsea infrastructure to protect. I also emphasised the importance of maintaining development and humanitarian assistance in a sustained and long-term manner.

On financing, I highlighted Ireland’s role as a net contributor and long-term beneficiary, and our view that the EU budget must be fit for the future, take into account horizontal principles and values and respond to Europe’s priorities effectively. Overall, the meeting was an first important step for Ireland in setting our ambitions and will be the first of many engagements I will have with the Commissioner in advance of Ireland’s EU Presidency next year, during which the MFF negotiations will be at a critical juncture.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I was interested to hear what the Minister of State said, following the conversation we had in the Chamber yesterday. I mentioned the Gates Foundation. He re-emphasised Ireland's commitment to overseas development. That is good news in a world where the cuts in US aid have been described by aid agencies as irreplaceable and having a significant impact. The security piece is important.

I want the European budget to adapt and develop in such a way that it is able to meet unforeseen circumstances. I understand 90% of the budget is fixed and 10% is discretionary or can be used to respond to particular situations. Was cohesion policy discussed? What were the budget Commissioner's views on that? To what extent does the Minister of State think that increased security expenditure might impact on this?

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. Our political grouping at EU level, Renew Europe, has some positive ideas. It proposed reinforced provisions to promote democratic resilience, including something that is close to the heart of this Government, which is funding support for independent media, investigative journalism and fact checking. I understand the Estonians are way ahead of the rest of Europe in dealing with disinformation. We need to pile some significant money into that.

Much of this overlaps with the portfolio of our European Commissioner, Michael McGrath. It is also being proposed by our group that the MFF must position the EU as the world's leading provider of development and climate aid. The Minister of State mentioned that. Is this something he will support? Might it be a factor in our Presidency next year?

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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During the Presidency Ireland will, in effect, be in charge of the negotiations. We will have to act as an honest broker. It is important that between now and then we get our spoke out, so to speak. That is why met Commissioner Serafin at a very early point and immediately after that meeting I met all of our MEPs, all of whom were invited to be briefed on our position. I am more than happy to do that with the committees on foreign affairs, EU affairs and agriculture. Individual Ministers will also do that. It is also important for Oireachtas committees is to engage with their counterparts in other parliaments. The CAP is the biggest part of the budget in terms of what we receive. It is important that we protect that.

The other issues the Deputy mentioned are important. In terms of our major priorities, we have to work with other member states and that includes the parliaments. I foresee a big role not just for MEPs but also Members of the Dáil on all sides. By and large, the priorities will be supported across the House.

On misinformation and disinformation, I recently had very good engagement with the Hybrid CofE in Finland and encourage the foreign affairs committee to engage with its representatives on best practice in this area.