Two European commissioners will visit Ireland tomorrow (Tuesday, February 3) to discuss the EU budget and agriculture.

European Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin is currently undertaking the 'Tour d'Europe' to consult member states on the next European long-term budget or Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).

Commissioner Serafin will be joined by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen for his trip to Dublin.

The visit comes ahead of Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, which runs from July to December 2026.

The commissioners will meet politicians, farmers and agri-businesses to discuss the ongoing MFF negotiations, the EU's agriculture policy, and how they can support Irish farmers and citizens.

Major concerns have been expressed in Ireland about the proposed cut in funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027.

Commissioners

Tomorrow's visit will begin at government buildings, where the commissioners will meet with Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, Minister for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne and other senior representatives of the Irish government. 

This meeting will be followed by an open debate with members of the Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs.

Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture have also been invited to participate in this session.

In the afternoon, the commissioners will meet with farmers and agri-businesses to discuss the next MFF and CAP post 2027.

Among those due to meet with the commissioners are the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), Irish Grain Growers (IGGG), Macra and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA).

The visit will finish with a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, where discussions are expected to focus on the priorities related to the EU's budget and agriculture in the upcoming Irish EU presidency.