Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an overview of his negotiations on the State's contribution to the European Union budget in 2014 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52454/12]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to ongoing negotiations of the European Union budget between 2014 and 2020, if he has adopted a position similar to that of Britain and sought a real-terms freeze on the EU budget between 2014 and 2020. [52455/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

In the negotiations on the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Ireland has argued for a properly funded and properly functioning EU, with the right mix of priorities, fair allocation of resources and a focus on jobs and growth. Ensuring a properly-funded Common Agricultural Policy is central to this. Negotiations on the MFF have been taking place since June 2011, when the European Commission presented its proposals. Negotiations have taken place at official level and in the General Affairs Council. Most recently, the European Council met on 22 and 23 November to try to reach agreement.

While a final deal was not reached, it was agreed that President Van Rompuy and President Barroso should continue work and pursue consultation in the coming weeks to find a consensus over the Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020. It was also agreed that bilateral talks between President van Rompuy and members of the European Council and the constructive discussion within the European Council had shown a sufficient degree of potential convergence to make an agreement possible in the beginning of next year. The Taoiseach will make a statement to the Dáil on the outcome of the European Council on 28 November.