Minister Byrne leads crucial EU budget negotiations
Thomas Byrne chaired the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg to advance talks on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The Irish Presidency's revised proposal aims to balance savings with sustained support for core EU policies and emerging priorities.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, took the helm of the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on 13 October 2026, steering discussions on the forthcoming long-term EU budget framework, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This session followed the recent publication of the Irish EU Presidency's revised negotiating box, which outlines proposed adjustments to the MFF to accommodate member states' preferences.
Minister Byrne emphasised the critical need for EU countries to deliver an effective and balanced budget agreement. He highlighted that the Irish Presidency's updated proposal reduces the European Commission’s original MFF plan by 8%, yet retains ambition to address new policy challenges. The proposal maintains funding for key programmes such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and cohesion policies, ensuring most EU budget lines receive increased allocations compared to the current framework.
In addition to budget talks, Minister Byrne updated ministers on the progress made under the 'One Europe, One Market' Roadmap, including the successful agreement on the Markets Integration and Supervision Package at ECOFIN, a pivotal step towards capital market integration. He also chaired inter-governmental conferences marking advancement in the EU accession processes for Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova. Ahead of the European Council meeting on 15-16 October, discussions will extend to competitiveness, security, migration, and enlargement, with the Taoiseach urging leaders to strive for a timely MFF agreement this year.
Minister Byrne emphasised the critical need for EU countries to deliver an effective and balanced budget agreement. He highlighted that the Irish Presidency's updated proposal reduces the European Commission’s original MFF plan by 8%, yet retains ambition to address new policy challenges. The proposal maintains funding for key programmes such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and cohesion policies, ensuring most EU budget lines receive increased allocations compared to the current framework.
In addition to budget talks, Minister Byrne updated ministers on the progress made under the 'One Europe, One Market' Roadmap, including the successful agreement on the Markets Integration and Supervision Package at ECOFIN, a pivotal step towards capital market integration. He also chaired inter-governmental conferences marking advancement in the EU accession processes for Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova. Ahead of the European Council meeting on 15-16 October, discussions will extend to competitiveness, security, migration, and enlargement, with the Taoiseach urging leaders to strive for a timely MFF agreement this year.
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