Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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468. To ask the Minister for Finance the Government’s key priorities in the MFF negotiations, particularly in the areas of environmental funding specially biodiversity, social funding through the European Social Fund and through initiatives such as Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) and on humanitarian and development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/25]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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470. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which Irish civil society will be consulted and involved in shaping Ireland’s position on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/25]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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471. To ask the Minister for Finance whether the Government supports the European Commission’s proposal to merge existing funds and introduce a new three-pillar MFF structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47447/25]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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472. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which the Government will ensure that restructuring of the EU Budget into a new three-pillar MFF structure does not disrupt established funding streams for societal actors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47448/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 470 to 472, inclusive, together.

The Commission’s proposal on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework was published in July 2025. This is the beginning of a long, multi-faceted and complex set of negotiations at Council and with the European Parliament, through 2025, 2026 and into 2027. My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade share responsibility for leading Government's approach.

The Government’s key expenditure priorities for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) include a separate, ring-fenced and robustly-financed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a Horizon Europe that is ring-fenced and prioritises excellence, maintenance of humanitarian and development aid, and continuation of the North-South PEACEPLUS programme. The Government also considers that across the next MFF, we must continue to promote and protect the values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, as enshrined in the EU treaties. The government continues to support the climate-related ‘do no significant harm’ principle's application across the EU budget.

The Government is open to considering structural changes in order to improve and streamline the EU budget’s functioning, and will remain a constructive partner throughout what will be a long and complex negotiation. We will work to protect and promote Ireland's priorities, which include a distinct Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy, and dedicated funding for social programmes, during this process of negotiation.

In the European Commission’s preparation for its proposal of the next MFF, EU citizens were consulted in a European Citizens' Panel on "A new European budget fit for our ambitions" which took place in the first half of 2025 and produced 23 recommendations on the next long-term EU budget. Many of the citizens’ recommendations have fed into the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget. In addition the Commission held a public consultation on the next MFF between 12 February 2025 and 06 May 2025.

Officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are joint lead coordinators on Ireland’s position on the MFF and will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders throughout the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework negotiation process.