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

We have had debates on this issue on many occasions and the Deputy knows only too well what is possible and what is not. It would require agreement across 28 EU member states to secure a change in the approach to a soft landing. Ireland led an effort to introduce a butterfat adjustment which was supported in increasing numbers by many other countries, but it was not possible to get over the line because a number of very large countries blocked it. What we are doing instead is looking at making what is a significant fine affordable over a prolonged period of time and we are trying to get across the line with the Commission. All of the farming organisations, as well as ICOS, know exactly what is going on and we are all working together to try to solve this problem, as opposed to trying to play politics on it.

See this speech in context