Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the last question, I can assure the Deputy that it is my full intention that we are not leaving any money behind in Brussels, as farmers would say. Ireland has been one of the better countries in the EU at ensuring that has been and is the case, under previous governments and this one. There is one matter on which I cannot give the Deputy an assurance because it is a decision for Heads of State and Government, although I will be influencing the Irish position. The Heads of State and Government will decide the budget for pillar 1 and pillar 2 within the overall budget. The Heads of State and Government will also decide how that is distributed between member states. The build-up to the meeting of the Heads of State and Government will be very important for CAP and the overall budget we will get. That will not be a decision for Ministers for Agriculture.

Our task, with the European Parliament, will be to decide the mechanisms for spending that money following decision on the matter by the Heads of State and Government.

I am working with the Taoiseach to ensure Ireland gets fair treatment in relation to pillar 2. I suspect that one of the reasons for the uncertainty and ambiguity around the amount of money to be allocated under pillar 2 is that this issue will be one of the negotiating tools of the overall multi-annual financial framework discussions. It should not be forgotten that the Common Agricultural Policy represents only 38% of the EU budget and that the Cohesion Fund and research and innovation fund are also big pots of money.

During the political negotiations on the allocation of the overall budget, which will take place in a few weeks time, I will try to ensure pillar 2 funding is not used as a bargaining chip to try to get agreement on other allocations, including Cohesion Funds, and to ensure Ireland does not lose out in this regard. We are working hard to ensure this will be the case.

On the disadvantaged areas scheme, I envisage there will be a future DAS, although eligibility and qualification for same may change somewhat. As regards a rural environment protection scheme, we will have to wait and see what money is available in that area. A minimum amount of money will be required for Leader-type schemes.

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