49. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efficiency and reform proposals that her Department has submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in response to their request for such proposals with a deadline of the 17 July 2026; the impact that these spending cuts will have on public services within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55536/26]

The issue raised by the Deputy is part of the ongoing Budget 2027 negotiations. In that context, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to comment at this time.