Malcolm Noonan (Green Party)

As the EU prepares the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, for the period 2028 to 2035, there are growing concerns that the European Commission is aligning itself with a far-right agenda. The shift threatens to divert financial resources away from the EU’s long-standing commitments to environmental protection, social progress and international development within Europe and globally. While strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and defence capacity is important, and we all agree with that, it must not come at the cost of essential programmes that underpin democracy, sustainability and global solidarity. The EU must raise its ambition not be emulating US-style policymaking but by reinforcing its own values. Funding through the MFF should prioritise support for civil society, democratic institutions and co-ordinated action across Europe and the world.

I share the concerns of many farming organisations this morning as we learn of a significant cut to the CAP budget and plans to merge it into other funding streams. I am concerned too for LIFE programmes, European innovation partnerships, EIPs, and other programmes that reward landowners for environmental actions on land. I visited once such EIP on Sunday last, namely, the Breeding Waders EIP, where Owen Murphy and his team and people from Fota Wildlife Park were releasing nine head-started curlew chicks. Unfortunately, we have to intervene in this way at such a level, moving eggs and incubating them at Fota, because our habitats are in such poor condition and are fragmented. However, it is also great to have such incredibly dedicated people as well as funding in place to help such iconic species like curlew until we restore nature at scale.

What future is there for such programmes if the EU cares more about missiles and drones than it does about nature, farming and social cohesion? I raised concerns here about the MFF some months ago and received assurance that the Government is engaging at a high level within the EU, and it would appear that their efforts were futile. When we return in September, it will be too late. I am of the view that the committee on European affairs and the agriculture committee should meet next week to specifically discuss the gutting of CAP, social coherence and environmental funding at the expense of defence and security. What security do we have when we cannot produce food, protect nature or care for those fleeing conflict and climate chaos? They are saying now that we should do less with less. It is a MAGA-lite budget, and Ireland should not support it.