THE IRISH TIMES VIEW ON THE EU BUDGET : POLITICAL COMPROMISE WILL NOT BE EASY

What happened: The Irish EU presidency's draft seven-year budget met widespread backlash at the European Council meeting, with little or no progress made beyond sides setting out objections. Key numbers: Commission proposal cited as €1.76 billion; Irish plan proposes an 8 percent cut, or €141 billion, including a 3 percent cut to farming and regional aid and a 13 percent cut to Why it matters: Member states are split between "frugals" seeking large cuts and 17 mostly southern states opposing any cut, and a commission official said Ireland had drafted a budget fit for the 20th century.

The Irish EU presidency's draft seven-year budget met widespread backlash at the European Council meeting, with little or no progress made beyond sides setting out objections.

Member states are split between "frugals" seeking large cuts and 17 mostly southern states opposing any cut, and a commission official said Ireland had drafted a budget fit for the 20th century.