Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

Can the Minister tell us his negotiation position on caps on maximum payments and payments to agribusiness? How does he propose to handle the negotiations on redistribution between small and large farmers?

The document refers to regional flexibility. To what extent can we anticipate flexibility in terms of allowing each member state to design schemes to meet their particular interests? Does the Minister see any scope for a joint Twenty-six County and Six County approach to the Commission on the milk quota, even at this late stage, between now and 2015? Perhaps a joint approach to the Commission might yield some positive results.

Does the Minister consider that the State is in a position to maximise any EU funding which will become available under the research and innovation heading or do we need to do preparatory work to ensure we maximise potential? There has been a lot of discussion about red tape and the need for simplicity. Would the Minister consider setting up a small group of farmer representatives to examine forms, processes and advise the Minister? What might appear very simple and straightforward to a person in the Department might seem like an administrative nightmare to a farmer sitting at a kitchen table with a biro.

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