‘Critical that CAP is fully funded'
Fianna Fáil TD, Malcom Byrne has said that it is 'criticial' that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is fully funded should Ukraine enter the European Union.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday (June 10), the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin outlined the details of a European Council meeting on March 20, 2025, where the EU's multi-annual financial framework was discussed.
According to the Taoiseach, EU leaders had a 'first exchange of views' on the next iteration of the EU's long term budget (MFF), and that the European Commission is expected to publish it's proposal for the next MFF.
Deputy Byrne believes that it is 'essential and correct' to support Ukraine's path to membership of the EU.
He said: 'From Ireland's point of view, it is critical that the CAP is fully funded and is not just there to meet current requirements.
'While it is essential and correct that we support Ukraine's path to membership, CAP must be sufficient to meet the needs of an enlarged European Union, particularly in terms of Ukraine being a sufficient beneficiary under pillar 2,' Deputy Byrne added.
European Union
The Wicklow – Wexford TD also claimed that the Taoiseach has been 'very supportive' regarding European competitiveness.
'It is critical that we see movement on the capital markets union to ensure greater availability of capital throughout Europe,' Deputy Byrne said.
'This does not just benefit business; it also benefits consumers because consumers in Ireland could see better value in terms of financial and insurance products,' he added.
The Taoiseach said that he has spoken to the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen about the CAP budget.
He said: 'I met the President of the Commission about six weeks ago for a substantive meeting on a range of issues.
'I emphasised the importance of the (CAP) retaining its core ring-fenced funding framework. One of the issues will be around how we can increase it.
'The significant pressure on the multi-annual financial framework will be more and more pressures to spend more in different areas but no concrete proposals in terms of additional revenues,' the Taoiseach added.
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