Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in ensuring that adequate funding is provided for CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57544/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in ensuring that adequate funding is provided for CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57543/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 126 together.

The European Commission has published its proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034. These proposals represent a significant structural change, as it is proposed that the CAP will form part of the broader National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP), which consolidates a number of EU funding streams under a single framework.

Under the Commission’s proposal, a ring-fenced amount of approximately €293 billion is allocated to CAP at EU level. Ireland’s indicative CAP allocation is €8.16 billion, within a total NRPP allocation of €11.4 billion. While this represents a reduction of around 24% compared with the current CAP period, it is not a like-for-like comparison. The proposed framework is intended to allows Member States to supplement CAP interventions from the wider NRPP allocation, offering flexibility to address national priorities.

My Department is closely analysing the proposals to assess their full implications for Irish farmers, rural communities, and the wider agri-food sector. Detailed technical discussions are ongoing at Council Working Parties and with the European Commission to clarify the scope, governance, and performance requirements of the new arrangements, including how transfers from the general NRPP allocation to CAP measures would operate in practice.

Ireland’s priority in the negotiations is to secure an adequate overall budget and a CAP that is simpler, fairer, and sufficiently flexible to respond to economic, social, and environmental needs. I will engage actively with the Commission, the European Parliament, and other Member States to ensure that Ireland’s interests are fully reflected as discussions progress.

I will continue to advocate for a strong and well-resourced CAP that underpins the sustainability and competitiveness of Irish and European agriculture.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in negotiations for the next Common Agricultural Policy, to outline the extent to which preparation is being made for an enlarged European Union, including Ukrainian membership; the implications of that enlargement for CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57469/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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While Ukraine has been granted EU candidate status and accession negotiations have formally commenced, the European Commission’s published proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2028–2034 do not assume Ukraine’s full membership during this period.

The Commission has, however, acknowledged that future enlargement of the Union, including Ukraine’s accession, will have significant implications for the EU budget. Analytical work is already underway at EU level to assess the potential impacts of enlargement.

Ireland will continue to monitor developments closely. Should accession progress within the next EU Budget (MFF) period, Ireland will engage constructively to ensure that any budgetary adjustments are realistic, that appropriate transition arrangements are in place, and that the CAP remains fair, well-resourced, and effective for farmers across all Member States.