IFA President Warns Against Any Reduction in Irish Allocation from Brexit Fund

IFA President Tim Cullinan said he was very concerned about reports that some larger Member States are laying claim to a greater share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which would impact Ireland’s share.

“The Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed that Ireland was to receive just over €1bn from the initial allocation when he spoke at our North Tipperary AGM in January. This allocation reflects the exposure of this country, and in particular our agri-food sector, to the fallout from Brexit,” he said.

“Ever since the vote in 2016, it has been acknowledged that Ireland would take the biggest hit from the UK decision to leave the EU. Therefore, it follows that we should be in line for the largest amount from the Brexit compensation fund,” he said.

Tim Cullinan said our Government and our full-time representation in Brussels have to take a stand and ward off any attempt to deny our sector much-needed funding.

He said IFA’s work on securing a significant portion of Ireland’s allocation has been based on the amount announced in January, and we would be proceeding on that basis.

“The solidarity that existed for Ireland during the tortuous talks that brought an agreement on trade in December has to remain in place,” he said.