Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report to Dáil Éireann on Ireland's contribution to the EU budget in 2017; the likely trends in this expenditure in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the preparations his Department is making to provide for the impact of Brexit on this area of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47227/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently forecasts that Ireland's contribution to the EU budget will be c €2,020 million in 2017, €2,650 million in 2018, €2,675 million in 2019 and €2,750 million in 2020. It is worth noting that these forecasts are contingent on a number of variables, including the size of the overall EU budget and other EU budget operational developments which will only emerge as the year progresses. As a result all forecasts will be monitored and updated on an ongoing basis as new information becomes available.

In relation to Brexit, as the Deputy will be aware, negotiations are currently on-going. Therefore, as you can appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss those negotiations in detail at this point. Ireland wants a financial settlement reached in a fair and transparent manner on the basis of an agreed, objective methodology, that enables a positive future relationship between the EU and the UK and which reflects the UK's legal and budgetary commitments under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

While my Department currently forecasts Ireland's contributions to the EU budget for 2021 to be €2,775 million, this figure is used primarily for illustrative purposes. It should also be noted that the 2021 forecast falls outside the current Multiannual Financial Framework and as such, should be treated with caution. Contribution estimates will be updated on an ongoing basis as new information becomes available.