The Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have succeeded in breaking an EU deadlock on plans for the next seven-year budget.
The two leaders were leading the talks in Brussels tonight as part of Ireland's presidency of the EU council.
Up to now, the European Parliament had refused to begin negotiations on the long-term budget, before establishing what could be done to fill the 11 billion euro hole in this year's EU budget.
But tonight, MEPs agreed to start parallel discussions next week on finalising the seven-year budget, while ongoing talks continue on the 2013 budget shortfall.
Suzanne Lynch, European Correspondent for the Irish Times, says the fact that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste both attended the talks was a good sign that progress would be made:
} ], { swfPath: '/assets/includes/js/jPlayer', supplied: 'mp3', wmode: 'window' });
