Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has studied the submissions received from the Irish Farmers' Association and other farm organisations setting out the various preferred options in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy reform; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to achieve the objectives set out; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to ensure that the Irish and European food producing sector is adequately safeguarded and promoted in view of the pivotal nature of the industry and its major economic significance and if he expects the CAP reform provisions to remain constant in the course of any subsequent World Trade Organisation negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29339/13]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has taken careful note of the submissions received from all the farming organisations and, indeed, from all stakeholders. They have been useful in highlighting the main concerns and preferred options of the farming and wider agri-food sector. Of course, there are variations between the positions taken by different stakeholders and it is the job of the Minister to steer a course that will deliver a policy that will be fit for purpose and that will underpin the future of Irish and European farming.

Let me remind Deputies that Ireland's priorities at the outset of these negotiations were to ensure, in so far as possible, sufficient Common Agricultural Policy financial resources to support sustainable food production in the EU and in Ireland; flexibility for member states on farm payment models and transition arrangements; and a rural development policy that effectively supports competitiveness and sustainability. I am pleased to state that substantial progress has been made in delivering on all these priorities. Although the budget agreement has yet to be endorsed by the European Parliament, there is no question but that a substantial budget has been secured for the CAP, including in excess of €11 billion for Ireland over the coming period.

As to the other elements, next week in Luxembourg and Brussels, the Minister will seek to achieve political agreement between the three EU institutions on the Common Agricultural Policy reform package in order to deliver a rural development regulation that will provide the scope for Ireland to implement a rural development programme which targets support to Irish farmers to assist them in increasing their competitiveness and improving their sustainability and deliver a payment model that is fair to Irish farmers and supports sustainable intensification and active farming by ensuring a fairer distribution of direct payments while avoiding abrupt, large losses to higher paid farmers.

As to the effects of future WTO negotiations, with the current round of negotiations stalled, it is difficult at this point to imagine a situation in which a WTO outcome will have a major impact on the current CAP reform package.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Can the Minister of State give any indication to the House at this stage as to the extent to which the submissions received from the Irish farm organisations have been considered in the context of the CAP reform, the extent to which other farm organisations throughout Europe have also been considered in the context of the Irish Presidency and the extent to which it is expected that those who continue to make a contribution to agriculture, those living in rural areas and those farm families involved in agriculture can be assured as to their future prospects?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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As to an assurance that everybody has been consulted, never before has there been so much consultation. The rural organisations, such as the Irish Farmers Association, the ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, the Irish cattle and livestock producers, all have been consulted. This House has been consulted on the ongoing negotiations.

On the fact that we held the Presidency and made such an impact, I was in Brussels only last week - I will be glad to be over there next week when these negotiations are being finalised - and due to the respect in which Ireland is now held because we have brought the matter from what was a difficult position some months ago to where we have it now, many of the worries and important issues for many throughout the country will be taken into account, particularly in regard to family farms and younger people. The Minister has emphasised always during the negotiations his commitment to bring about a position where increasing numbers of young people will take to the land. Only 9% of those involved in agriculture are under 35 years of age. That percentage must be increased and, hopefully, after next week it will be.

The Minister hopes people will be satisfied. Clearly everybody cannot be fully satisfied but we will be close to it.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Contrary to what the Minister stated here, I am on the record of the House, back at the beginning of these negotiations, in saying that any change had to take place over time and I was shocked and surprised at the Minister trying to infer that I ever stated anything else. Does the Minister of State believe that the single payment in the long term should relate to the amount of land one has, to average productivity as it could not be individual productivity or to something that happened in the historic years of 2000, 2001 and 2002?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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When discussing this and making a case for the retention or, as Deputy Ó Cuív has done, for a complete change in it, it is important to remember that there is a historic element to this. Over the past number of years, people have borrowed substantial sums. They have put in many buildings and done a great deal of farm programming and they must be treated the same as everybody else. It is important that there be fairness across the sectors. These are the issues: first, the historic commitment and, second, fairness for the individual farmers and producers across the country.

We have gained substantially from the Common Agricultural Policy. As a country, we have reacted to it. We are unique by comparison to other countries in that we have also increased our production. The response of the farming community to the agricultural programme we have in place with aims and objectives for 2020 has been unique by comparison to other European countries.

I am happy that the Common Agricultural Policy needs to remain in place. I am happy that our farmers are responding to it. They will understand that the changes, when they come, will be to the benefit of the agricultural community.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I call Deputy Durkan on a quick supplementary. We are over time and I would ask him to be brief.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We should keep going on this question. It is a good question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Further to the Minister of State's already comprehensive reply, to what extent has there been unanimity or general agreement achieved among the Council of Ministers on the validity of the case for the future insurance of the agri-food producing sector and to what extent has this been recognised within the European Commission, with particular reference to ensuring that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development is cognisant of the magnitude of the employment creation prospects and potential for the future of the agri-food sector?

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I am cognisant of the time and I would ask the Minister to be brief.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry about the time. I tried to stop the clock but it would not stop.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I want to give an assurance that significant effort has been put into negotiation of this Common Agricultural Policy. There has also been considerable interest shown by many member states to make this deal happen but no member state has as much to benefit out of it as we have. Leaving aside uncertainty after next week, if we have not finalised this deal next week it may be politically opportunistic for some to state that we failed in negotiations but it is important for the future direction of this country.

On Deputy Durkan's question as to what efforts have been made with the Commission and the other member states, there has been a great deal of work done by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and much negotiation. A great deal of time has been spent outside of the formal meetings.

Informal meetings have been held and he has put great effort into trying to find a negotiated solution.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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May I ask another question?

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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We are moving on. We have given the question more than adequate time.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There is nobody here except ourselves.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of questions from other Deputies to be heard.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There is nobody else here.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The questions are from the Deputy's party.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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They are my questions.