Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That type of debate is pointless and of no worth to today's discussion. The people concerned are now living with the decision of the then Government which signed them up to this and withdrew the compensation package.

I would like to outline the reason it is important this committee review this matter. In regard to the eligibility criteria for the single farm payment, the European Commission has clearly stated that eligibility for this payment should not be in any way adversely impacted by virtue of the transposition of part or all of any EU directive, including the habitats directive. The documentation provided demonstrates that farmers have been adversely impacted by virtue of the fact that they have had to take on different elements of farm practices and as such eligibility has been affected.

The suggestion that officials of both agencies be brought before the committee is an excellent one of which I am supportive.