Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a quick question on Pillar 2, which the Minister has answered in part. What is the Department's view on the timescale involved and the new arrangements under Pillar 2, such as for mountain areas, and the allowance to increase the hectare payment to €450 for farmland above 62°N? A large chunk of Leader funding is administered by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This funding has not been drawn down and it looks like it will not be drawn down even though eligible projects are waiting for funding. This is a no-brainer, in my view. Why should we return money to Europe that could be used under Pillar 2 for agriculture if it cannot be used for Leader funding? Will this jeopardise the negotiations on the new Pillar 2?