Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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No, absolutely. I thank the Deputy for his sentiments and wish him well in his role as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on agriculture in the term ahead. The point the Deputy raised is a very valid one in that the MFF is the biggest part of this now because it is the next decision to be made. Once that decision is made, we move on to the next bit. In terms of my efforts to get the best CAP deal possible for our farmers, I can reassure the Deputy that I have the full support of my Government colleagues. In terms of what are we doing at a level beyond my role on the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will bring a memo to the Cabinet in the next week or two outlining our approach on the MFF. The Deputy can be absolutely assured that the Government has it as a top priority to retain the CAP, the two pillars and that single fund.

As a country that is now a net contributor to the overall EU budget, there are many things that we pay into that we do not get the same return out of. Of the receipts that the Exchequer gets back from what we pay into Europe, we get 75% of them back through the CAP. If the CAP is reduced or lessened, it hurts the overall economy in terms of how much of that return we get. This is important to us and our overall economy, not just our farmers, but that rural economy piece. Therefore, the Deputy can be assured that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and beyond are supporting my work on the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and that it is-----