IRELAND'S FINANCE CHIEF: EU ENLARGEMENT WILL DRIVE MIGRATION TO IRELAND, HIT EU BUDGETS

Ireland’s Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, citing the Department of Finance’s 'Future Forty' report, warned that EU enlargement to include Ukraine and several Balkan states will carry fiscal costs for the bloc and is expected to influence future migration flows to Ireland. Freedom of movement for new members would likely be phased in, yet the report anticipates migration impacts. The Government maintains support for merit-based enlargement while acknowledging financial and migratory consequences, aligning with recent EU-level discussions and Irish engagement on accession processes.