Ireland a winner under the EU’s €960bn budget

Ireland saw itself on the side of the winners from the EU’s €960bn, seven-year budget as it will contribute slightly less than it will gain — which is estimated to around be around €13bn.

Farmers, agri-food, and rural development generally will account for 85% of the receipts, and it will be up to researchers and the Government to win money for other areas.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney was happy Ireland retained its usual proportion of what will be an ever-decreasing budget for the common agriculture and rural development policies, amounting to around €11bn, or around €1.5bn a year.