Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware of the adage, "If you don't ask, you won't get". In this case, it sounds as though the Minister did not ask and that he was quite happy not to get it. That commitment is done and dusted and counts for nothing in the programme for Government because it is clear from the Minister's answer that it will not happen in the current CAP programme.

On the wider issue in respect of CAP, as the Minister is well aware, the stakes are particularly high for the farming community as an average of 75% of a farmer's income comes from CAP payments. It is crucial that the next CAP programme does not see a dilution of the overall CAP budget. In light of the prospect of the UK leaving the EU and its contribution being removed, there is going to be a very real need for other countries, including our own, to increase contributions in order to maintain that budget. Is that something which the Minister will be willing to do? As a country, can we make a commitment that will be the approach and direction we will take and the outcome we will seek to achieve?

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