Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My first point relates to the timescale, as raised by Deputy Heydon, and what will happen if the budget and the CAP proposals are not agreed. What must happen to ensure the CAP payments are implemented by January 2014? We have all heard that the Germans are facing a general election and Chancellor Merkel may not want the negotiations to be ongoing during that time.

The final agreement on the greening process is very important to Ireland. The Minister has outlined at many meetings the effect it could have on Ireland, such as three arable crops. I would like to hear the Secretary General, Mr. Moran's comment on the Minister's proposals and our chances of success in getting agreements on the greening.

I wish to deal with the statement Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív makes in Irish Farming News in the Irish Independent. He states that the IFA only represents 10% of the farmers of Connemara. Whether it is the IFA, the ICMSA, the ICSA or Macra na Feirme, these bodies - similar to Deputy Ó Cuív who, as an elected representative, representing all the people of Galway - still represent all the farmers.