Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

With the level of modulation coming in at present, we would have to put our proposal to Brussels. The decision on whether our co-financing is adequate will be made there. The current national Exchequer contribution to our rural development programme substantially exceeds the EU requirement.

We will put forward our particular programme to Brussels when we have completed consultation in respect of a scheme, or schemes. For example, if we wished to extend the REPS programme or to introduce an animal welfare measure that might be linked directly to new challenges, we would have to put forward those proposals to Brussels for clearance. Of our farmers, 50,000 will not be affected by modulation because they are below the single payment rate where modulation applies.

See this speech in context