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TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has welcomed the agreement among EU leaders on the union’s budget between 2014 and 2020, describing it as “a good deal for Ireland and a good deal for Europe”.
An exhausted Taoiseach – who had sat through most of the 24 hours of plenary talks on the Budget, having already had a busy week dealing with domestic matters in IBRC – said the talks had been “long and tortuous at times”, but “worth the effort overall”.
“Coming to the summit yesterday I did indicate that there was a feeling among the leaders that it might be possible to reach an agreement. I’m obviously glad that that happened,” he said.
Though the deal marked a major compromise between opposite ends of the European Council’s political spectrum, its future is far from uncertain: the leaders of the four biggest groups in the European Parliament said they could not support it.
The deal – whether approved by MEPs or not – marks the first EU budget to see a real-term decrease in European spending, which Kenny described as a recognition of the current straitened times and the need to spend every euro wisely.
“We really do look forward to taking up the challenge now with the European Parliament, to see that this can become a reality in the shortest time,” Kenny said.
The draft ‘Multi-Annual Financial Framework’ includes a special, explicit €100 million in development funds for the ‘BMW’ (Border, Midlands and Western) region of Ireland.
There is also the maintenance of a €150 million ‘peace dividend’ for cross-community work in Northern Ireland – a project that Brussels had suggested scrapping – and €100 million in rural development funding to enhance competitiveness of the agricultural industry under ‘Pillar II’ of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association said the deal was “as good as could be hoped for” given the opposition to the CAP spending from some member states.
“The important thing is that this deal now clears the way for Minister Coveney to get a CAP reform agreed under the Irish presidency,” said its president Gabriel Gilmartin.
Elsewhere, the draft deal will also see Ireland’s structural funds increase in the next funding round, which Public Expenditure minister Brendan Howlin welcomed as a positive development in the face of overall cuts in the EU budget.
Ireland will also probably share in a €6 billion allocation for economic stimulus in countries with particularly high youth unemployment, though an agreement on how to split this has not yet been broached.
The EU’s overall international development fund will increase by 5 per cent, with about 90 per cent set aside to tackle hunger and poverty around the world.
Non-governmental organisations expressed satisfaction that the EU’s external spending was cut by 16 per cent compared to the European Commission’s original plans, reflecting some recognition that the EU must share some of the burden of austerity.
There was some regret, however, that EU funds specifically earmarked for development in impoverished parts of the world would have to be cut accordingly.
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How did a ‘man’ like this get to lead a country?
Cos the others fcuked up.
I’d love to whack him over the head with those 2 microphones in the picture.
We need to get him and his cronies out
“something” needs to be done Rob.
You’d do a better job I suppose Angela? In an economic straitjacket, No money to work with unlike the previous administration and expected to perform economic miracles in less than two years…you’re one of Clare Daly’s disciples I’m sure
Rubbish Brian. I’ve got a spine and i sure as Hell wouldn’t have done the “deal” the other nite. That was to please his euro friends and noonans bilderberg cronies. Another pat on the head and tap on the check for Enda bless him
Dont mind them Enda, “bitches be hatin”.
By being elected. Silly question
Les
When your understanding of simple maths and basic economics is level with an entry level standard then you will realize how cringeworthy your silly views are!
The civil servants run the country, we just elect their spokes people. Anyone who doesnt believe this is deluded. Im not a fan of Enda myself but I would like like to remind you of our last chief spokesman…Biffo.
Kenny: EU budget ‘a good deal for Ireland and a good deal for Europe’??????
Then you better sort out a good deal for Ireland, Enda.
rogers calling you an idiot would be an insult to stupid people .
Good man you wouldn’t have ‘done the deal’. 1 billion less a year to meet the debt burden, as well as the fact that inflation will mean the payments are cheaper. So Thank god you’re not making the deal.
No enda its a good deal for a few gamblers who now have our children paying for their mistakes.
we’re all in the pockets of the banks
Spineless sniveling sleeveen. Makes my skin crawl to look at him.
He reminds me of a stunted parsnip. And the crap we’re being fed about inflation devouring debt is laughable. Inflation inherently means that more and more people are pushed below the threshold… this is a positive according to some people!
What was 60 billion of today’s money worth in 1970?.. People are all too happy to be misled. Let them at it I say. personally, I’m don with complying with the ‘state’.
Colm
I think you said that before. Does your brain work so slowly that it only comes up with one short sentence every day.poor chap.
The “deal” means Enda and his cronies keep their noses in the trough till they see their pensions out. F*{k the grandkids!
Well he gets a pension regardless. Did you even read the above article?
Enda
What did you say you want to do to the grandkids?
I’m confused, how does this deal affect our grand kids? On a side note must be acknowledged he basically did 48 hours straight working though two nights, fair fcuks
Ah we will be paying this debt off until 2053…. Thats how it will affect our grandkids.
This deal is an utter disgrace. The private debt of the crooks at Anglo/ Nationwide etc has now officially become sovereign debt. To sweeten the pill for ourselves, we’ve passed it on to the next two generations. There is no cause for celebration here. Yet another sell out of the Irish people by our so-called representatives.
Unfortunately, you are right. That’s a clear and insightful description of the reality.
This deal is to do with EU budget, it’s nothing to do with IRBC.
Jasus Enda, so it’s good news on de homefront and good news on the EU front…………………………….. FFS
Hey Enda with all that money you saved maybe you can pay the Gardai, paramedics and firefighters.
A nation in Bondhood
Baa baa baaaaa baaa ba? Baaaaa baa baaaa baa ba ba!
Upset that the “pro missionary” note is gone Karolyn?
That 1 billion we saved will go 2 the bond holders FACT
Don’t just post your displeasure here – marches / peaceful protests are being organised across the country & taking place tomorrow. Make your presence felt in the real world & show Kenny & co we aren’t falling for anymore lies & state spin. As a nation the vast majority of us have had enough of this idiot & his party – we owe it to ourselves & our country to mobilise & make our voices heard – NOW.
Bryan
Tomorrow will be cold but dry and this reflects your mood. But isn’t it an awful pity that you have to give up Your Saturday to parade around town while,letting all the Dublin folk see you for the eejits you are! This deal is great for Ireland on a nett present value basis and you’re really just parading your ignorance of this.
So all the nay sayers, put your juice on the table, I’m neither way inclined just interested to see yer proposals..
I’ve had enough of Bell-Enda’s ‘Good’ deals
Corporate crooks and traitors to the nation
“There is also the maintenance of a €150 million ‘peace dividend’ for cross-community work in Northern Ireland – a project that Brussels had suggested scrapping – and €100 million in rural development funding to enhance competitiveness of the agricultural industry under ‘Pillar II’ of the Common Agricultural Policy.”
OK, this is not a Political attack on the agreement… all monies onto the Island are welcomed…
But, if you really wanted to improve relations on the Island, especially around the border area, in order to improve cross-community efforts …..
Why not support the National Peace and Reconciliation Program, proposed by Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu?
Genuinely, i think its great to throw money at a problem, if it means the money is spent on the Island, but it really isn’t addressing the legacy of the troubles. Not a very efficient way of using money to address a problem that cannot possibly be resolved, without a Peace an reconciliation Program.
To fcuk with protests, you’ll be demeaned for taking part in those. All you need to do to end this is cease to participate.
Don’t tax your car, your dog, your children… balls to those who expect you to pay their way in life. Most of us don’t need or want to be crippled by the poor decisions of our neighbors. Non-compliance… let the money hungry simpletons raise their own collateral.
Well said. Peaceful Non Compliance. Starve the Beast.
That’s a lovely budget for the EU.
Wonder why Enda was put in charge for the deal.
A couple of thousand years ago, a philosopher named Democritus came up with a radical idea. His suggestion was that the wishes of the people could be bestowed upon an elected group of people that would represent the views of the wider community. He called it Democracy. I think that we should give it a try.
Great !!!
Still the best comment I have read today. If we understood it properly we would not be facing many of the problems we are experiencing today. Seems we have not learned all too much over the last 2000 years.
With the result that many of the comments here would be irrelevant.
Deal may be good, give it a fair hearing, if he has to go, it’s because of respite care and minister OReilly generally
You changed you’re tune Shay. Other day you were saying the going should get.
The young should get out of here and if you were younger you would?
Yes the young should, this article is specific to euro budget , it’s worth looking at, but isn’t a game changer
Fair enough Shay. My apologises.
At every opportunity they’re getting out. 5000 Canadian visas released at the beginning of last week, by the beginning of this week all have been taken.
Golden circle scam to protect FG and its euro lackey buddies in Lab and FF and wider afield. Not Irish National Debt to begin with and another reason to leave this sinking ship called the EU.
Get Kenny and Gilmore out. We don’t need them anymore.
??????????????????????????????????????????????WILL ANYONE WITH ANY KIND OF SENSE PLEASE LEAVE A VALID COMMENT
Sure. Enda Kenny has done a fantastic job for Ireland .
The irony is strong in this comment.
Economic recovery is dreaded by the dialectic materialists(extreme left wing) Irish mass media commentators. It means the theory of economic devastation followed by violent revolution and then a new country with them as our new Dear Leaders won’t happen.
€150million to pacify trouble makers. They should give it to the police in Northern Ireland to help lock up the protesters from both sides. Such a waste of money to psychopaths who cost everybody money in taxes.
Bonded through the night.
This was all a very well laid out plan and not by Kenny, He is but a muppet, Look at everything that has happened since our budget in Dec, Week by week the demoralising of the Irish people, Dont leave!! As that also is what they want
Can’t find a comment on the EU budget , can’t blame anyone, yesterday is still too raw
@ Richard Rogers – it is a great shame that eejits like me do feel it’s right to march on a Saturday because great intellectuals such as yourself believe that paying billions of tax payers money to private bondholders for their gambling losses is a good thing. I of course would prefer not to be marching today but unlike you I’m not living with my head in the clouds and unlike you I’m not stupid enough to believe this is a debt write down or anything remotely close to a good deal. Stick with herd Dick.
A good article. Although most of the clowns commenting here did not read it or if they did they did not understand it.
lyons i do not know what makes you so dumb but it really works.
Where does the money come from to finance this budget?
A lot of playing the man and not the ball in the comments section here! Did anybody actually read the contents of the article?
Enda where have I heard that before? Lisbon I & II? Change the record Enda!
No Enda, its not a deal but well done for trying and better luck next time.
have your say