Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very topical issue, as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently in Brussels working on CAP. Of course, this Government did not introduce convergence. That is the first point. The focus of the Deputy's contribution was on this Government.

This is a centrally mandated approach across the European Union and from the European Council and Parliament. It is an EU mandated policy. In the first instance, it is a system of redistribution of direct farm payment funds. It has been occurring for half a decade. It is a hugely emotive issue. Notwithstanding the fact that the matter is largely decided on in Europe, there is room for negotiation and getting the balance right.

There is room for negotiating as maximum a degree of subsidiarity as possible in implementing the proposal in Ireland. The Minister is seeking the maximum degree of subsidiarity to deal with this issue. He supports the EU Council position that convergence should be around 75% of the average by 2026, but we cannot guarantee that because the Parliament has pushed for 100% convergence. Perhaps the Deputy could talk to Mr. Mick Wallace MEP or some of the other MEPs to try to focus on getting the Parliament to reduce its ambitions in this regard. It is pushing for 100% convergence. The Portuguese Presidency has put forward compromises of between 75% and 100%. Negotiations will continue around that.

The Government has, since 2020, paused further convergence until the negotiations in Brussels are concluded because we understand the issues. There are winners and losers in the convergence process and programme. I understand up to 60,000 farmers will have gained, and if we are throwing in the greening aspect the figure could be up to €95 million. About 54,000 farmers would have lost out. It is a very difficult issue. We are very conscious of it, as are the Ministers.

Since 2015 all EU member states have used this method of payment. From the Government's perspective, we believe in food security and a viable and sustainable agriculture industry, as well as food production and food safety. The Irish food production system is probably one of the most efficient, not just in Europe but globally, and is constantly working to improve its emissions performance. That is a broader debate within Europe. We want there to be more opportunities for others to increase farming incomes around environmental programmes and so forth.

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