Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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7. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of convergence rates which will form part of the new Common Agricultural Policy in the trilogue negotiations. [26918/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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I ask the Minister the status of convergence rates, which will form part of the new Common Agricultural Policy, in the trilogue negotiations. We know the Council has accepted a minimum convergence level of 75% and that the European Parliament is proposing a rate of 85% in negotiations. I sought and failed to get greater clarity on the Government's position on this. Will the Minister provide an update on the convergence issue and outline the rate he and his officials are pushing for, and why?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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In January last year, when the Minister was in opposition, he argued that there was no reasonable basis to stop the convergence process during the transition period. However, once in office, he continued with the reasoning of convergence to provide stability and certainty for farmers. What information did the Department provide which led to this change of position? Like any of us, the Minister is entitled to change his position based on different information, but he is obliged to share that rationale for the change of heart with us and with farmers. What is the reasoning of the Department driving Ireland's position at the negotiations? What exactly is the Minister pushing for, whether 85% or 75%? He is pushing for greater flexibility for member states in implementing aspects of the CAP but we do now know what he and his officials will do with that flexibility. Will he outline that and address why convergence was halted?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It will not be a matter of what I or my officials do whenever it comes to our national CAP plan. It will be a matter of engaging fully with farmers throughout the country on what our plan should look like, and fully consulting everyone before I, as Minister, make any calls on that. My approach in Europe has been to ensure we have as much national discretion as possible to set our own destiny in this regard.

On the Deputy's point regarding the transition period and my position in advance of the election, which was that we should continue convergence during the transition period and move gradually towards the 75%, it was already clear it was going to be set at European level and, obviously, it may go higher in the trilogue process. It was too late this year to put in place any additional step towards that 75% because of the practical challenges in setting that. This is why there was no step towards the 75% this year, and it was simply due to practical considerations. That is now going to be overtaken by the wider decision on what the ultimate level of convergence will be, and that will happen after consultations with farmers.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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I am still unaware of what information the Minister has had since being in opposition that explains the change of heart on this issue. Convergence is just one issue that represents the lack of clarity that farmers are facing. Those on small farms in the west are concerned that the new CAP will threaten the agricultural status of their land. The Minister says this gives flexibility but farmers do not want flexibility regarding the status of their land; they want certainty. The Irish Cattle And Sheep Farmers' Association, ICSA, is calling for all farmers to be treated equally concerning land eligibility and conditionality, and the IFA is having regional meetings this week to inform its members. The dissatisfaction with REAP and the limited places are also symptomatic of this issue.

The new CAP will affect not only the lives of thousands of farming families but will also shape our landscape over the next decade. It is essential that the Minister presents his position to the House throughout the negotiations. I do not understand why we do not vote on the positions the Minister takes to Europe. I am new to this House but these are very important decisions and there is no scrutiny. It is disgraceful that so little time has been given to these issues. Farmers in rural areas deserve more respect. I ask that the Minister would give a real answer in regard to his change of heart.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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To follow on from what the Deputy has said, what we are asking here, certainly what I am asking, is for the Government's position and the Minister's position on convergence. Is the Minister looking at a minimum or a maximum of 75%? As he knows, the Council put forward 85% and that was rejected by the Parliament, so we may be looking at more than that. What is the Minister's position and the Government's position? I may be wrong but my view was that the Fianna Fáil position was to move towards full convergence. We expect our Government and our Minister to have a policy, and that is what we are asking. In what direction is the Minister going? What is his policy on convergence?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thought I had been clear but maybe not. My position at European level has been to try to ensure, in terms of the CAP, that we have as much discretion as possible to make our own decisions domestically coming out of that. I have outlined the situation at European level in terms of the Council position of 75% and the Parliament position of 100%. It remains to be seen where that will land at European level. What the Deputy seemed to be saying is that I, as Minister, should decide what the outcome will be, and what I should be looking for in terms of convergence domestically, without recourse to or consultation with farmers. To be clear, what I will be doing is engaging with farmers and all stakeholders before I make any decision on that.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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The Minister does not have a policy.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I will not be setting any level on this without-----

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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He had a policy in opposition and now he does not.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Allow the Minister to respond.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I will not be setting any level on this without first consulting farmers. I am surprised to hear that the Deputy is suggesting I should do otherwise. I am also looking forward to hearing her policy and everyone else's policy on this. Coming out of that, I will make a decision and make a call on it.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Thank you, Minister, we are over time.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have been consistent on this at all times. I am disappointed to see the Deputy trying to portray it as otherwise.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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If the Minister is going to just ignore the rules-----

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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The Minister is changing his position and he is not telling us why.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I outlined that in my previous response, if the Deputy wishes to go back over it and listen to exactly what the position is during the transition period.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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There is no point in me being here if we are just going to ignore the rules. It is not fair to the other Deputies who have tabled questions.