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Taoiseach speaks to EU Council President Charles Michel

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar held a video-conference with President Charles Michel ahead of next week’s meeting of the European Council which will discuss the EU’s new budget for the period 2021-27.

 

President Michel briefed the Taoiseach on his ongoing consultations with other Member States and on his plans for the meeting.

 

The Taoiseach set out Ireland’s well-established position and emphasised the need to protect the budget for CAP in the interest of rural Ireland and family farms, in particular, as pillar one payments comprise almost 75% of on-farm income.

 

He also pressed for an increased allocation for the Peace Plus programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties.

 

The Taoiseach also updated the President on political developments in Ireland in light of the General Election.