Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to refer back to the recovery and resilience plan. The Minister of State told Deputy Mattie McGrath that the application went in "when the Commission wanted it". Did the Commission want the applications from the other 12 member states first? Was there some kind of rota in operation? I am happy to accept the fact that there was probably no closing date and perhaps the Minister of State will confirm that. Was there a starting date and if so, what was it? It is not terminal that our application was not submitted or ratified at the same time as that of Germany or France. Nonetheless, the Minister of State said that it went in when the Commission wanted it and I ask him to clarify that.

Have we stitched the issue of balanced regional development into this plan? Have we stitched the EU pillar on social rights in? Have we included things like decent work, fair wages and access to services in the recovery and resilience plan?

I also have a question on Belarus. I mentioned previously that I was lucky enough to be able to adopt Maksim Zinevich, who is a political prisoner. What specific steps have been taken on the release of political prisoners and what progress, if any, has been made?

Finally, a number of colleagues have already raised the issue of the CAP discussions. I accept that it is more for the next European Council than this one but it is crucial for Ireland. A draft agreement was reached and from here on in, we will be tinkering at the edges. It is mainly set in stone but all we are hearing from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is that we need flexibility at national level. Does that mean that the Government does not support parts of the draft agreement? What flexibility is the Government looking for? Is it around convergence, front-loading or the percentages for eco schemes in Pillar I? It seems a bit strange to hear a Minister speaking about consultation on a draft plan that is largely set in stone. What flexibility is the Government looking for?

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