A special fund to help Ireland and other bailout countries create jobs could use EU money unspent by other countries, according to the European Commission.

The UK Government has attacked plans for an inflation-busting rise in EU spending as “completely unrealistic” in the midst of a recession which has forced national austerity measures across Europe.

THIS week’s failure of EU budget negotiations leaves member states facing cash flow problems over payments to farmers, said Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness.

FARMERS have been urged to be the voice of the Common Agricultural Policy, and inform the public how it provides for everybody – not just farmers.

THE battle to protect the European Union budget for agriculture will be tougher than expected, it emerged in Brussels over recent days.

Ireland has secured the Research and Innovation portfolio in the European Commission.