33. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 30 June 2026, if she will make a statement on matters raised. [55440/26]

As I previously noted to the Deputy, negotiation of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is a top priority for Ireland’s EU Presidency. As Presidency, we are committed to being an ‘honest broker’; to working constructively with all EU Member States, institutions and stakeholders to agree workable compromises for an EU budget that addresses the many needs and demands of the Union, in a fiscally responsible manner. The AgoraEU programme is an important aspect of that consideration.

The overall volume and the balance of priorities within the MFF are some of the key issues for the Irish Presidency to address over the next number of months. As Member States are clearly divided on such issues, agreement will require the compromise of all. Given the early stage of our role, and the stage at which negotiations are at, it is too early to comment on the overall volume. Ultimately, this will be concluded at the final stages of negotiations by Leaders at the European Council meeting.

While my Department and the Department of Finance lead jointly on the overarching MFF negotiations, it is important to note that responsibility for the AgoraEU programme sits with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council agreed a partial general approach on the Agora EU regulation on the 12 May 2026. This agreement will form the basis of negotiation of the regulation with the European Parliament, which is the next stage of the process.

As Presidency Ireland is ready to take forward these inter-institutional negotiations. However, that requires readiness on the part of the European Parliament which we cannot control. In the meantime, our focus as Presidency is to advance negotiations on the overarching MFF package.