Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is an exercise which must be carried out if the Minister is to do as the Deputy suggests. I refer to the fact that a balance must be struck between the people who will be in the cohort that will receive an increase in Pillar 1 funding and those who previously received area-based payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme or REPS and who tended to be the greatest beneficiaries of Pillar 2 funding. We must ensure that the position does not become distorted.

I suggest that we move on to discuss the Common Fisheries Policy. We have spent 80 minutes discussing the CAP. We will be able to continue the debate on the latter on another occasion. Will the Minister make his opening remarks on the CFP agreement?