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

The Deputy knows that is not feasible and will not happen. I would not lightly propose such a linear cut. The Deputy knows the difficulty we face in getting a linear cut in respect of the national reserve for new entrants. The truth is that there is no headroom in respect of the rural development programme. The only other way to do it is to cut the basic payment. Alternatively the Deputy may be proposing an Exchequer-funded scheme. That funding is not there but we then run into state-aid rules.

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