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

I have made the point on a number of occasions, although I am not sure if I have made it here publicly, that we should be prepared to contemplate an increase in our contribution to the EU budget. I would not like to see us making an increased contribution to the overall European Union budget if we did not see it reflected in an increased level of funding for the CAP. I accept that Europe faces many challenges, but the new challenges require new money. There should not be a raid on the CAP budget as that programme has been a spectacular success, not just in terms of support for farming, but also in terms of the public goods which have been delivered. No state has its hand up at the moment to say that it is prepared to take less. No state has its hand up to say that it is prepared to pay more in. In fact, it is the contrary in almost every respect. Member states want to pay less and take more. That is obviously an unsustainable position. This Government will not shy away from the possibility of having to contribute more but we would like to ensure that, in contributing more, the CAP will be adequately funded.

See this speech in context