Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I welcome the Minister's statement in terms of the commitment on modulation and how it is to be ringfenced within agriculture. That is vitally important and is something I have raised with the Minister previously. There should be no leakage of that commitment into other sectors, or into non-governmental, community and voluntary pillars. That is essential.

Does the Minister not agree that the €170 million package delivered by the CAP will be delivered by farmers themselves? The 1% increase in quota will effectively come down to the farmer who gets up every day to milk more cows. The Minister is overselling the package somewhat. It was widely thought that the 1% increases in quota were coming down the track in any event.

Will the Minister explain the €70 million that is in the balance? Some €100 million will be provided for additional milk production and there is an extra €70 million. Will the Minister clarify how this extra sum will be designated?

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