Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At present, the trilogue negotiations are ongoing on all aspects of the CAP programme at European level. As the Deputy knows, in Ireland, convergence has been a central part of direct payments throughout the current CAP programme. In 2019, the goal of all payment entitlements reaching a minimum value of 60% of the national average was completed. In that time, Ireland also set a maximum payment entitlement value which in practice meant that all BPS payments now lie between €160 and €700 per hectare with a national average of €260.

The negotiations on the new CAP programme have seen varying proposals on the level of convergence to be applied from 2023. The general approach agreed by the Council last November saw that 60% minimum rise to 75% by 2026 in line with the original Commission proposals. However, as the Deputy pointed out, the European Parliament has advocated for 100% convergence. In the course of these negotiations, the Presidency has offered a compromise solution of a minimum of 85% convergence which has been rejected by the Parliament.

I have argued that we must have subsidiarity to make our own call at national level. I have held tight to the Council's general approach of a minimum of 75% convergence and 20% for the eco scheme, particularly so that we are in a position to make our own national call on convergence. If we can get discretion at European level, we will have a full engagement with all farmers across the country and with all stakeholders about what approach we take domestically with regard to convergence. It is an important issue and is always contested. There are winners and losers. It is important that we get as much power to set our own destiny as possible so that we can engage with everybody's ideas and talk to all farmers, then make our own call later this year. First, we will have to see what is the minimum level at European level.

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