45. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on the discussion on the next EU budget at the EU General Affairs Council on 11 May 2026. [37808/26]

75. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework 2028-2034 was discussed at the recent meeting of the EU General Affairs Council. [37992/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 75 together.

On 11-12 May, Cyprus hosted an informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council. Ministers had a substantive debate on the EU’s next long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), for the period 2028-2034. As the central forum for negotiating the MFF, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, represented Ireland at this meeting.

As part of discussions, Europe Ministers reflected on how to ensure the EU budget is sufficiently agile and adaptable in order to respond to the challenges that our citizens, communities and businesses may encounter in years to come. In this regard, the need to ensure predictability and flexibility within the MFF was strongly supported by the majority of Member States, who viewed the role of Council as critical. Implications of a number of mechanisms in the EU budget, including the proposed cascade mechanism within the National and Regional Partnership Plans, were also debated amongst Member States.

Under the Cyprus Presidency, the MFF is due to be discussed again at the 26 May and 16 June General Affairs Council meeting, and at the 18-19 European Council meeting.

During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, it is expected that we will play a central role in negotiating the final stages of the MFF; seeking to reach workable compromises on the remaining and most challenges aspects of the budget. In this regard, I, alongside other responsible Ministers and officials, remain committed in acting as an honest broker to reach a timely agreement.