Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll for his presentation. The renegotiation or review of CAP is long overdue. I do not think it has been distributed equitably enough to keep the maximum number of people engaged in agriculture or on the land. Given that the conversation and negotiation are ongoing there is an opportunity to deal with the small and medium-sized family farm which is gradually being eroded from the landscape. Mr. O'Driscoll said he hoped to send a compromise proposal on greening criteria shortly. Can he enlighten the committee on the compromise proposals from an Irish perspective?

In regard to the cap on payments, Sinn Féin and other parties are advocating a cap on payments. We suggested €100,000 with a gradual reduction to €50,000 over 50 years. What are the views of the witness on that issue over four years? What is his assessment regarding other European Union countries in respect of a cap on maximum payments?

In regard to an article in the Irish Farmers' Journal re minimum payments, what is the definition of minimum payments? Has any consideration been given to the payment of a percentage rather than a flat rate on a holding up to X number of hectares, either coupled or decoupled historically from thereon? In regard to flexibility for member states the witness mentioned that we would respond on our own conditions. How realistic is this? Ideally we would like sovereignty over how we distribute our funding? How rigid is the commissioner's position regarding flexibility being allowed to member states?