Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

First, I wish to ensure that it is a common policy but there should be flexibility within it. At any particular time, a sector or region could be under pressure. For example, in recent years the sheep sector has been identified by Members as being one that required assistance. Fortunately, the Department has been able to introduce a scheme this year to help that sector arrest the decline in flock numbers. However, I refer to a degree of flexibility that does not work against the common policy as such. In some of the larger countries, the French Minister in particular has spoken at length about this in respect of regions such as the Alps, some regions are regarded as geographic areas that need particular assistance and flexibility. Ireland may have a sector or geographic regions, such as parts of my native county and the west of Ireland in particular, that suffer a particular disadvantage. As Deputy Sherlock might expect, I disagreed with the British Minister with regard to his view about capping.

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