Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister is aware, Commissioner Hogan this morning mentioned that the new CAP is going to be more made in Dublin than Brussels. Specifically, in the context of the basic payments under Pillar 1, the traditional method of referring to 2000 or 2001 to decide the amount of payment farmers will receive is almost 20 years old. Most farmers understand that it does not work anymore and a new system must be put in place. Is the Government prepared to consider the possibility of a flat-rate payment per hectare, some of which would be front-loaded to ensure that smallholders get the best payment possible in order to secure family farms?

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