Ireland’s budget cuts weaken EU, Commission warns
Dublin's changes to the long-term budget overwhelmingly hit Commission priorities such as competitiveness and flexibility.
The European Commission has expressed concern that Ireland's proposed budget cuts will weaken the European Union. In a confidential briefing for EU ambassadors, the Commission warned that the €159 billion in cuts, which would leave the bloc less equipped to handle crises, will reduce its flexibility. Ireland's 8% proposed reduction of the bloc's total budget from 2028 to 2034 will slash €38 billion from foreign aid, €75 billion from competitiveness, and at least €22 billion from rainy-day funds.
While agriculture and regional payouts were spared from cuts, the Commission fears that these reductions will make spending in the next budget more rigid and potentially require a mid-term review. The Commission's top budget official, Stéphanie Riso, stressed the importance of flexibility for addressing issues like climate change and geopolitical tensions.
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