Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are working to provide support. That is our track record. The Deputy is correct about pillar 1 payments at European level. The CAP budget at European level has been static from the previous CAP to this one. We are one of the 27 member states which is constantly pushing to maintain and increase it but of course 27 member states have to agree to the decision, so it has been static. That means it has eroded in real terms.

CAP is co-funded, so we also bring funding to the table as a national Government. We have shown our stripes in that regard because we have delivered record funding for the CAP through the national co-funding because we have increased it by €1 billion or 50% compared with what was there before, which is much higher than ever before. That means, for example, that I have been able to deliver €200 per suckler cow, which is the highest payment there has ever been. This year, for the first time ever, we will deliver €20 per sheep, which is double what was there a couple of years ago. For the first time ever, I have accepted everyone into the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES. That was 50% higher funding in ACRES, the largest ever scheme. That is because this Government has put money in there. I am also making a commitment to the tillage sector - the sector that is most under pressure - for the coming year. Obviously, it is not unlimited. However, we are working in every way we can to support the farming sector as much as possible.

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