Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

There are many questions to be asked. The format we are adopting is a good one. I thank the Minister for affording us the opportunity to ask questions in this format. I will be as brief as I can.

The Common Agricultural Policy is crucially important post-2013 to Irish agriculture. The first goal that must be achieved is a guarantee that the envelope will be at least as great as the current envelope and that we get our equal share of that based on what we have achieved from 2007 to 2013.

The Minister referred to the Commission giving member states more of a role in deciding how the budget is dispersed internally within member states. Would it not be a good opportunity to give more scope to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to support areas that require additional support and areas that are not as viable? There may be benefits attached to working with the farming organisations. I would welcome the Minister's view on that. Perhaps he could provide an update as well on the ongoing discussions at the European Council of Ministers meeting and whether he foresees further discussions on the decision on the allocation for each member state.