Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all the representatives from the various farming bodies. Many of the issues have been covered. To use a badly used phrase, we are where we are and nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. Any CAP negotiations or agreements I recall have all started out with the promise that it will be a simpler CAP. That has never happened in any CAP. If we are to go on that premise, God knows what is coming down the line.

In that regard, on this occasion, we have long been promised a simpler CAP, which we know it will not be. We were promised much more subsidiarity and flexibility nationally. I put that question to the witnesses. We are aware that, once the CAP has been agreed, the Department will have to go to Brussels with a national strategic plan. What input, if any, have the farming organisations had in the process of preparing the national strategic plan? What consultation, if any, has the Department had with the farming bodies, as stakeholders? If there has been consultation, what progress has been made? What further progress needs to be made? What input would the witnesses like to have in the formation of that plan? If it has as big a role as has been promised, this is where we will probably have the most input in how we will affect CAP for our family farmers going forward. I would like to hear the witnesses' comments on that.