EU budget ‘fails workers, farmers and regions’, says Funchion

SINN Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has sharply criticised the European Commission’s first draft of the next seven-year EU budget, warning it could hit farmers and rural communities in Carlow and across the south-east.

Ms Funchion, who hails from Callan and represents Carlow/Kilkenny as part of the Ireland South constituency, said the proposal “fails workers, farmers and regions” and would only benefit the arms industry.

“This proposal brings severe cuts for our farmers, fishers, regions and workers,” she said. “It even pits them against each other for a smaller pot of funds.” 

Carlow’s farming and rural economy rely heavily on EU supports through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and regional development funds that help sustain local jobs, agri-businesses and infrastructure.

Ms Funchion warned that the new proposal would reduce these supports by merging agriculture, social investment and regional development into a single fund, forcing vital sectors to compete for limited resources.

“That is unacceptable during a cost-of-living crisis and when the EU should be leading the way on climate transition,” she said.

Cuts in CAP or cohesion funding would likely hit small family farms and community projects across Carlow, which have benefited in recent years from EU backing for rural regeneration, environmental schemes and town centre development.

The European Commission’s draft Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, published earlier this month, proposes a major increase in EU defence spending under its ‘Readiness 2030’ plan.

While defence funding could rise more than fivefold compared with the current budget, agricultural and regional programmes are expected to face real-term cuts once inflation is accounted for, according to Reuters and Euractiv reports.

“The only people who will be satisfied with this budget are arms manufacturers,” Ms Funchion said. “Each cent they receive is a cent less for workers and farmers.” 

She accused Brussels of “giving up on social solidarity and cohesion” and described the draft as “deeply flawed and regressive”.

Ms Funchion has called for the draft to be “scrapped” and urged all Irish MEPs to defend Ireland’s interests in upcoming negotiations. “This proposal should be rejected outright,” she said.

Talks on the new EU budget, which will set spending priorities from 2028 to 2034, are expected to continue well into next year between the European Parliament and EU member states.