Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand where the Deputy is coming from. This is the reason Pillar 2 funding is now €900 million higher than it was in the previous scheme between 2016 and 2020. This is an increase in funding of 30% for Pillar 2. Deputy Canney will know better than me that it is sometimes the case that funding made available through the CAP or through the Government directly has conditions and requirements attached to it. This funding should be used to support our farming community and farm incomes when farmers are going through a period of such change.

To go into the specifics, this is why there will be a dairy beef welfare scheme and a sheep improvement scheme and it is why we will honour the commitment to put in place an organic farming scheme for which €256 million of funding will be made available. The Minister has already given the commitment that he will consult widely with the agricultural community on this plan and this issue. I will pass on to him directly what Deputy Canney has said.

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