Tánaiste leads EU Budget talks to cut spending

The Tánaiste will be leading negotiations on the next EU Budget today in Brussels, which may include a clause to spend more in later years if the economic situation gets better.

The budget of €960bn for the next seven years marks the first time spending was cut back by the EU, because of the ongoing economic crisis.

Eamon Gilmore is hoping to get agreement on the budget from the European Parliament before Ireland's Presidency of the EU ends in June.

The Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton, is also going to Brussels for the talks.

She said, despite the cutbacks, they are hoping to insert a clause to increase the spend if things improve.