Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The backdrop to this is of exceptional concern. The European Commission previously indicated a range of options that could mean cuts of anything from zero to 30% in the CAP budget.

In recent days, Commissioner Oettinger outlined a potential cut of 6% in the CAP budget. It is crucial that the percentage of the budget ring-fenced for CAP remains so dedicated. The overall budget must be maintained and there must be no slippage in terms of the percentage of the European budget which goes towards agriculture.

Documents relating to the next programme from the European Commission regarding the framework for CAP were leaked recently. A €60,000 maximum for single farm payments is outlined in these documents. Will the Minister back that cap given that he has failed to achieve the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the maximum cap to €100,000? The onus is on him to ensure that he uses his offices to achieve the €60,000 cap.

As regards the option for co-financing of Pillar 1 payments, our objective must be to ensure it comes from the central European budget. However, in a worst-case scenario where that does not happen, is the Minister open to co-financing Pillar 1 payments at State level to ensure that there will be no decrease in farmers' payments?

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