Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think Pillar 2 could have discussion groups on areas of national constraints, which will be better defined by the soil test analyses.

I expect it will be used as part of the review of those later in the year. There are also smaller but specific output-based environmental schemes. There are other aspects that might be able to compensate. The discussion groups are very simple and very effective, and represent a very efficient transmission of information.

I thank the witnesses and all the presentations are very good. Ms Cotter made a very relevant point that goes to the heart of it. It is about getting recognition of total land use. That has been the driving force behind what the committee has been trying to do. Ultimately we want to endorse a policy which would form part of an Irish argument for a total land-use framework that an international accounting system would recognise. Regardless of whether the Government takes it to a commission on agriculture or a commission on climate change in Europe in the first instance the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine would have pulled all together. We will hear submissions from representatives of UCD and Bord Na Móna to conclude our hearings. We then hope to go to Europe with a preliminary document and make an argument, as a committee, on the basis of what is being done. The various aspects to it from food security to efficiency of production and everything else would be part of our argument or defence depending on one's point of view.