John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before the last budget, there was unanimity - as there was with the view of the witnesses - on the fiscal rules and about how inflexible they are. In theory we have many European officials here who have stated that there is the capacity for some flexibility if one is restructuring but in practice it does not seem to be applicable.

What strikes me in this era of Brexit and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, particularly in respect of disadvantaged areas, the witnesses would not know about it but rural politicians know a lot about it-----