The key facts

  • Ireland proposed cutting the EU budget draft by €141 billion
  • Richmond: the plan is 'still larger than the previous budget'
  • The compromise was presented ahead of the EU summit

Ireland rejects criticism of its EU budget proposal

Ireland's Minister for International Development Neale Richmond defended the country's proposal for the next seven-year EU budget, calling it 'a demonstration of what is realistically achievable' amid criticism from other member states. Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council and presented a compromise on the budget size ahead of the summit. The proposal envisages a cut of €141 billion compared with the €1.7 trillion draft on the negotiating table. Richmond stressed that the plan 'still represents an increase compared with the previous budget'.