Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. The contributions of my colleagues are also welcome. I welcome this debate because, as my colleague, Senator Bradford, noted, we all have to don the green jersey. I wish the Minister luck in the negotiations. There is time between now and 2012 and we can all participate in the debate.

I come from a provincial town in the midlands which is supported to a large degree by people who earn their living from agriculture. What I understand about the CAP is that heretofore it supported rural communities and provided safe and healthy food at an affordable price for the peoples of the European Union. The Minister has indicated he does not wish to refer to the draft CAP reform proposals, but they were leaked last week and I am somewhat disappointed he has not given his opinion on the flat rate system for the single farm payment.