Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Callanan mentioned Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 were introduced to ensure that the food produced is affordable This was the first aim of the EU. Without that support, food production would be more expensive and farmers would not be able to survive. Ireland is a net contributor to the EU such that money provided for Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 is our own money. As I said, these schemes were introduced to help people in less well off areas afford food production. I do not believe they should be brought into the equation. They should not be used as a rod to ensure farmers do something different with their land.