Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I said that; I have given the Minister credit in that regard. However, the members of the Government choir could do with being reminded of that. At the next meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, perhaps the Minister might mention the fact that Food Harvest 2020, which was put in place by Deputy Smith, his colleagues in government and the officials in the Minister's Department, is now the guiding document not just in respect of agriculture but for the entire economy. It took a great deal of work on the part of Deputy Smith to ensure that Food Harvest 2020 got off the ground. What he did shows that our commitment, as a party, is real and is expressed in Food Harvest 2020. When the choir returns to sing its final serenade, perhaps the Minister will remind its members of that fact.

As Deputy Cowen indicated, we did not specifically mention the CAP in the motion. However, reference is made to it in the Government's amendment. I am very concerned about an article which appeared on the front and back pages of last week's edition of the Irish Farmers' Journal, which outlines - including in tabular form - what those in government believe will be the payment levels per farmer. I do not know if the Minister of State has denied this story but perhaps he might take the opportunity to clarify the position. If this is the Government's strategy, then our battle plan for the negotiations on the CAP - in respect of which the Minister has our full support - has been laid out for everybody to see. The European Commission is now aware of what is the Minister's bottom line and what he is seeking for Irish farmers.

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