Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I send greetings from Leinster House to Brussels. I hope the MEPs can hear us loud and clear. I congratulate them on their election. I say, "Well done," to Mairead McGuinness, First Vice President of the European Parliament, for the excellent work she has been doing for a long time in Brussels. I congratulate Luke Flanagan; Matt Carthy; Maria Walsh; Barry Andrews who will take up his position, depending on the outcome of Brexit; Seán Kelly; my former colleague in the Seanad, Grace O'Sullivan, whom we were sorry to lose because she was a terrific contributor, but I am sure she will bring the great commitment she showed in the Seanad to the Europe Parliament where she will certainly be a great addition; Mick Wallace, to whom I also say, "Well done,"; and Deirdre Clune who will join the Irish MEPs in due course when Brexit is concluded. There will probably be an agreement, but whatever the outcome, I do not see the United Kingdom continuing to have MEPs in Brussels. However, sin scéal eile.

I congratulate Phil Hogan on his reappointment by the Government as Irish Commissioner and his nomination by the President of the European Commission as Commissioner for Trade designate, subject to the approval of the European Parliament. That will be a matter for the MEPs. I know that he will be a Commissioner for all of Europe, but he will also be of tremendous assistance to the Government and all others throughout Europe in the work he has been and is doing. I also acknowledge his commitment to and work in the area of agriculture.

I do not have many questions for the MEPs because they have only just taken up their roles. Some of them were outgoing MEPs. The few I can see are new MEPs and just getting to know the ropes in the European Parliament. As the Chairman said, what is of vital importance is the position on Brexit. I would like to hear about the discussions they have had in that regard as they have a very important role to play as MEPs. It is not us, as members of the committee, but they who will have to ratify the agreement reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which is a major responsibility. Irish MEPs will play a vital role in that regard because what they say in Brussels will be listened to as this is the country that will be most affected by the decision of the United Kingdom Government to leave the European Union.

On the renegotiation of the Common Agricultural Policy, because of the deduction of funding from the United Kingdom, it will not receive the share of the pool. Northern Ireland farmers will not receive any of the money, nor will British farmers. It is vitally important that Irish MEPs seek to protect the Common Agricultural Policy. There cannot be any reduction in subsidies. They are well aware of the dispute between farmers and the meat factories. If there is any cut in subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy, it will leave farmers in dire straits, even worse off than they are now. I come from an agricultural area where we depend greatly on the subsidies paid by the European Union for organic suckler cow herds. I will be relying on all Members of the European Parliament to ensure they will fight tooth and nail to preserve the subsidies payable under the Common Agricultural Policy at the maximum rate. I am in favour of capping them at a reasonable amount, not the major amounts paid to individuals.