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

I am acutely aware of the magnitude of the task. I am also doing everything that is possible within the confines of the Council of Agriculture Ministers and availing of every opportunity to build alliances with like-minded member states but it is important to acknowledge that there are other member states which take a position that is entirely at variance with that. Given the requirement for unanimity, that is a significant challenge.

This is an issue that is substantially played out in the Council of Finance Ministers and at European Council level but I remain optimistic. Given what Commissioner Hogan said, these are opening proposals, unpalatable though they are and reflecting for us, in the context of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2, more than €90 million in cuts, which is a significant challenge. We continue to work to try to achieve the best possible outcome.

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