The Taoiseach has set out Ireland's demands in the cost-cutting talks on funding the European Union. At today's one-day meeting of EU leaders in Bonn, Mr Ahern said Ireland must receive a fair share of Structural and Cohesion funds. He also said CAP reform must not be allowed to damage the viability of the Irish agricultural industry.
Earlier, there were growing indications of stalemate concerning future funding at the one-day summit of EU leaders in Bonn. Disagreement centred on a compromise paper tabled by the German hosts. The leaders have set a deadline of March 25 to agree a package of reforms called Agenda 2000, but some commentators are saying this looks increasingly remote. The Taoiseach said he was willing to help the German Presidency and the EU Commission, but he wanted to be sure Ireland would get a fair settlement. There are proposals to cut Cohesion Funds, paid to Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Mr Ahern said he supported a mid-term review of the funds, but that the money should continue for those countries which have joined up to the single currency.
Before the start of today's summit, the Taoiseach told reporters that Ireland's priority is to try to get a fair and equitable share of the Agenda 2000 package of reforms for spending on agriculture and regional aid. On the Common Agricultural Policy, the other key element to the Agenda 2000 package, Mr Ahern said it was important to build on the few successes that had emerged from the week-long meeting of EU Farm Ministers. This morning, some 600 German farmers demonstrated against the EU CAP reform plans, outside the building in Bonn where today's summit is being held.
In another development this afternoon, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, put forward proposals to extend duty free sales for another three years, but this is being opposed by Denmark.
