Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Mr. Moran for his presentation. He states that a mandatory movement to a flat rate of payment per hectare would potentially have had a negative effect on our capacity for sustainable production. Was there any consideration given to a flat rate with front-loading up to 32 hectares and if such were the case, what would be the negative effect?

Mr. Moran mentioned that the Department received 46 submissions on its deliberations. Can he give a breakdown on these submissions? Were they wide-ranging or specifically focused on a direction on which they would like to see the negotiations concluded?

Regarding Pillar 2, I do not want to go over the point made by Deputy Ó Cuív on something that would be serious for many of us. On the co-funding or shared funding of Pillar 2 payments, is there any indication of what will be the percentage from the Department? The farming organisations are adamant on it being 50:50. There has been speculation on this in newspapers and elsewhere. Can Mr. Moran give us any indication of the position?