33. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to proposals from the European Commission to cut the budget of the Common Agricultural Policy. [52300/26]

The overall EU budget for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period beyond 2027 forms part of the wider Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations, which are led at EU level by Finance Ministers and will ultimately be agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council.

From Ireland's perspective, these negotiations have been led by the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in close consultation with my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach. My Department has been actively contributing to this process to ensure that the importance of a strong and adequately funded CAP, and also the Common Fisheries Policy, has been fully reflected.

The Commission’s proposal for the next MFF includes a significant reduction in the ring-fenced Common Agricultural Policy budget compared with the current programming period. I have previously highlighted that this is a matter of serious concern for Ireland, given the need to adequately fund a policy that plays a vital role in supporting viable farm incomes, food security, environmental sustainability, generational renewal and vibrant rural communities.

While the Commission has proposed that Member States would have the possibility of transferring funding from the wider National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP) envelope into the CAP, further clarity is required on how these provisions would operate in practice.

With Ireland now in the Presidency Chair, we will be working as an honest broker to advance the negotiations on the future budget to the maximum possible extent over the coming months, taking into account the views of all Member States as we work to build consensus on a range of issues, including CAP funding.

Over this period I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues, and to engage constructively with Member State counterparts and the European Commission, to ensure that the CAP budget ultimately agreed reflects the strategic importance of agriculture, and the sector's contribution to Europe’s food security and long-term resilience.