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

Are we not going down a certain road with the word "derogation"? I have read about derogations for years. Sooner or later, a derogation comes along and there is a battle with Europe. We have seen that happen with animal medicines, the dairy side and many other derogations. There were so-called derogations for bogs. Are we kicking the can down the road in respect of derogations? In five, six or ten years' time will some Minister, through no fault of his or her own, have to say we are no longer getting a derogation, meaning the whole job is up in a heap? Are we walking ourselves into things that we should not agree to now? Should we instead put the boot in? Should we instead contact our MEPs? What is the advice from the Department? Can the Council of Ministers block some of the contracts to which the officials have referred? I am worried about ordinary farmers who will have to become involved in this. Farmers are not accountants; they try to farm the best they can. I do not want to put more stuff on top of them.