Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Rourke had to leave to chair another meeting, which is unfortunate but he will be able to hear afterwards what went on.

The committee receives a copy of all the reports issued by the European Court of Auditors and they are circulated well, which we find beneficial and appreciate greatly. The obvious thing that I wish to put into the mix of the questions is the whole issue of Brexit. What is the representatives' up-to-date opinion and insight into what has happened over the past 24 and 48 hours, leaving aside what has happened in the past weeks and months? What way do they see that going?

During the briefing I listened with interest to what was said about fraud, a point which has been highlighted by Senator Craughwell. Are there any lessons to be taken from the cases of fraud? It is important to note that there are not many cases and there obviously seem to be many measures, checks and balances, which is to be welcomed. One issue always arises, however, when we talk about auditing, checks and balances, namely, our farming community. When we deal with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Europe or regulations, it has bothered me since I first entered politics that if anyone makes a mistake filling in a form or an application or doing anything else, it is classified as a mistake. On the other hand, when a person in our farming community submits an application form with an error - a genuine, honest-to-God mistake - it is looked upon immediately as fraud. It is looked upon as if it is somebody trying to swindle something but in 99.9% of cases it is no such thing. It is a genuine mistake, such as a mapping error or an over-claim, which might be completely innocent and not somebody out to jip the system or trying to do something that is wrong. It has always bothered me that when one family is filling in an application form for anything it is a mistake, but when a form is filled out in a farming household and something goes wrong, they are told that there is something bad or wrong about it, that it is fraud and that they are out to con the system. I hate that and it has always been the case.

I deal with many farming queries from County Kerry and personnel working in agriculture, whether they be at home or abroad. It bothers me so much that they are looked upon in this way. It is the same with the fishermen, where if an Irish fisherman is doing something it is classified as illegal while if somebody else does the same thing, it is a mistake. If a form in regard to tonnage is filled in incorrectly, it is fraud but if someone else does it, it is a mistake. I would like to hear Mr. Murphy's views and opinions on that because it bothers me greatly and upsets our farming and fishing communities.

Mr. Murphy will have an insight into the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, given his new and enhanced role. How will it filter down to all levels? What exactly will the policy be in the future and how does he think it will work out? How are we going to work with it? What advantages and disadvantages does he see? The matter is of great interest. I would be grateful if he combined the issues.

Other members are attending other meetings they could not get out of, while others are chairing meetings. That is why the attendance is not what it usually would be. We cannot help that, but we very much appreciate the efforts Mr. Murphy and his officials have made to be here. I apologise again for the mistake made about the connection to the MEPs. It was a matter beyond our control.