Ireland's EU budget compromise of €1.6tn is attacked from all sides as 'frugals' demand deeper cuts

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 11 October 2026.

Ireland, holding the EU's rotating presidency, has put forward a proposal that would trim €141bn from the European Commission's €2 trillion draft seven-year budget, bringing the total to €1.6tn — yet the plan has come under immediate attack from opposing camps. Sweden's European affairs minister Jessica Rosencrantz said the figures "still present a widely unaffordable increase" and that a deal remains distant. Europe Minister Thomas Byrne argued the proposal narrows deep divisions ahead of EU leaders gathering in Brussels next week.

Germany, Austria and the Netherlands want several hundred billion euros MORE cut; Italy and Spain are opposed to any reductions.

Irish farmers are also angry — IFA president Francie Gorman branded the deal a 'huge let down', warning that Irish farm payments would face a 24% reduction.

Leaders are racing to seal a deal by December before France's presidential election, fearing Marine Le Pen could derail any agreement if she wins power.