Mr. Tom Moran:

The Chairman has encapsulated it correctly. We have flexibility points in Pillar 1 and would have to let the Commission know what we are doing. However, there is no programme under Pillar 1 to be agreed with the Commission. It applies directly. Pillar 2 is a programme which is an amalgam of schemes which must fit into a framework set out in the rural development regulations. The first step is to get the money and co-funding right and see what is what and what is possible. Next we must send the draft report with the outline of the schemes to Brussels and start negotiating. From our experience with the rural development programmes, the Commission will have views on every one of those schemes and the balance between them. Even though there are different levels of co-funding between them, they will sit down with us and there will be robust discussions with the Commission. There will be lots of time along that journey. This committee made a very valuable contribution to the Pillar 1 discussions. It can make known its views on the nuts and bolts and the operation of the schemes.