Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Harkin. That piece of research was to establish what the value of the entitlement would be. That is what the figures that were set out showed. The value of the entitlement is going to exclude the eco-scheme payment, which will be extracted from the entitlement value in the first place. That is what the research showed.

I agree with Deputy Harkin that it all must be looked at in the round. There will be full and accurate detail and data on this from the Department. There will be full disclosure and full transparency. I accept the point Deputy Harkin makes, but the research was about calculating what the entitlement value would be, which excludes what will happen with the eco-schemes. The eco-schemes payment is to be applied at a flat rate based on compliance with the draft plan on a European level and farmers will apply for that separately. It does have to be looked at in the round and ultimately what counts for farmers is what it means for their income. That is the crucial issue.

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