Brexit Brussels budget needed – Coveney

Planning and local Government Minister Simon Coveney believes Ireland has a strong case for a Brexit fund from the EU.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Farmers Journal on the eve of the launch of the National Planning framework “Ireland 2040 – our plan” the former Agriculture Minister was unambiguous on the strength of Ireland’s case for funding in the wake of Brexit, and said that it is being pursued immediately.

“Both [Public Expenditure and Reform] Minister Paschal Donohoe and [Finance] Minister Michael Noonan are essentially making the case that Ireland needs to be able to invest for the future, particularly given the challenges around Brexit, and the potential isolation of Ireland,” said Coveney, recognising the particular needs of the agri-food sector.

“We’ve also come out of a recessionary period that has lasted nearly a decade. We simply couldn’t afford to invest in infrastructure, and nobody would lend us money for that kind of investment,” he added. “It makes sense for us to make a case, and hopefully win the argument around the need for Ireland to catch up in infrastructural investment.”

It’s the clearest signal yet that the Government will make a strong push for significant funding to meet whatever hurdles Brexit poses for the Irish economy, and particularly agri-food.

The Minister said the Ireland 2040 plan will encompass the sectoral strategy Food Wise 2025, and will roadmap the strategic development of Ireland’s economy for the next quarter century, when the population is expected to rise by 1m people – an increase of more than 20%.

Irish Farmers Journal conference

Speaking at last Friday’s Irish Farmers Journal/AIB Navigating Global Trade conference in Dublin, both EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan and Department of Agriculture secretary general Aidan O’Driscoll confirmed that talks are ongoing to deliver a Brexit package that will provide farmers with financial supports during the two-year exit phase and any subsequent transition phase.

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