Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Matthews. What is the rationale behind his recommendation that national co-financing should be required for all CAP expenditure? I was amused when he spoke about simplification of the CAP.

I find it very complicated and, supposedly, it has been simplified. It could go a long way yet before it is simplified.

Professor Matthews also said that decoupled direct payments should be phased out. I had thought decoupled payments were brought in because payments were previously tied to production, which led to overproduction, and that decoupled payments were positive. Why does he say they should be phased out?