Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said in response to Deputy McConalogue, I appreciate the importance of this income source for farmers.

I appreciate it, given the regions to which the Deputy referred. It would be wrong of me to give a guarantee on what areas will and will not be included because I cannot. I would be surprised if, in respect of the aforementioned areas, there was any significant change.

It is because of the importance of the payment that we took the opportunity to support the Austrian request. We were not alone. I recall that France and a number of other member states were also supportive of the proposal. In the context of the uncertainty around this debate, it allows us to say that for the period of time the extension will be secured the status quowill remain. That is in itself a reassurance.

At this stage, we do not have a guarantee the extension will be granted. The Commission is considering the request that was made and supported by a number of member states, including Ireland. As I said, we will remain committed to the ANC system, the commitment in the programme for Government in respect of additional payments in 2018 and consultation with farmers in due course where the information is available.

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