Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I join the Chairman in welcoming the officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and thank them for their presentation, much of which focuses on the leaked European Commission communication. That is understandable because it is probably a good signpost as to the direction the Commission wishes to take in reforming the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. Since the officials are appearing at the Joint Committee of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I am interested in hearing what the Department is seeking to achieve in respect of the CAP and an outline of the key priorities and objectives and how much is reflected in the leaked communiqué. Will the officials update us on the submissions that have been made by the Department and the Minister in the consultation process? Are the negotiations being held in public? What other submission have been made and will the officials enlighten us on the approach taken and Ireland's key asks in the reform of the CAP?

I echo the point made by Deputy Jackie Cahill about the importance of the budget for the CAP. That budget will be crucial. As has been pointed out, it is under massive pressure. I have little doubt that it will require Ireland and other countries to be willing to step up to the mark in the provision of additional funding in terms of being willing to put more funds into the budget for the CAP. That is where we should be at and we should be willing to do so as a country. I know that the Minister has not yet given a clear indication that that will be our position. The assistant secretary, Mr. Gleeson, outlined how the budget for the CAP, in terms of contributions and single farm payments, accounted for a figure of 37% in the dairy sector and 113% in the beef sector. Although Brexit has dominated the debate on agriculture in recent months, the stakes in respect of the CAP are as high, if not higher. If we were to see a significant drop-off in the budget for the CAP, it would impact immediately on incomes and put people out of farming.

The current programme for Government commits the Government to moving towards a cap of €100,000 on the maximum payment under the current CAP programme. Have efforts been made by the Government to direct the Department to achieve that objective? The next Common Agricultural Policy should provide for a cap of €60,000 on the maximum payment. Has the Government taken a position on that issue? I note that the leaked communiqué indicates that the Commission is considering capping the maximum payment to individual farmers at between €60,000 and €100,000 under the next CAP programme.

A system of averaging was applied in Ireland and in other countries. Does the Department have a view on whether that system should continue as part of the next CAP programme?

Some young farmers missed out under the last CAP programme. What position is the Department taking to ensure the young farmers who missed out under the previous programme will be helped under the next one?

Will Mr. Gleeson update us on the current position on areas of natural constraint, ANC, payments? Will they form part of the next CAP programme and will they continue to be considered under the current programme? If farmers are to progress, we must discuss their income levels, profit margins and their position in the value food chain. How does the Department envisage the next CAP programme addressing these issues and ensuring to include them as key priorities?