EU: Ireland proposes revised budget with cuts totalling 140 billion
(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Ireland, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, has presented a revised draft of the EU budget for the period 2028–2034, which includes cuts of 140 billion compared with the Commission’s initial proposal. Dublin has specified that the savings would amount to 8 per cent. Ireland’s move aims to break the deadlock in discussions amongst the 27 EU member states, which have stalled due to wide differences between the parties. The proposed cuts relate, for example, to the ‘Global Europe’ development aid programme, administrative expenditure and a new fund dedicated to competition, whilst resources for traditional EU policies would be preserved, without reducing the amounts allocated to Member States for the Common Agricultural Policy and social and territorial cohesion. Ireland has also proposed an additional 55 billion in ‘own resources’ to bolster the European budget without increasing Member States’ contributions; these would be derived mainly from taxes on electronic waste and large enterprises. The Irish compromise will be on the table at next week’s summit of heads of state and government in Brussels.
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