Mr. Jim Higgins:

Senator Leyden was there also.

What is particularly important is the fact that the two big-ticket items, which are of huge significance for Europe, including Ireland, are nearing finalisation under the Irish Presidency. The Common Agricultural Policy has been in gestation for a long period but I am very confident that the negotiations that are currently in trilogue will deliver a final set of proposals that will be approved by the Parliament on the week beginning on 10 June. Members will be aware that at 6.15 a.m. yesterday, the talks on the Common Fisheries Policy concluded, after 36 hours of negotiations. These are the two big-ticket items. The reforming of the Common Agricultural Policy strikes a balance between the need to support farmers operating in disadvantaged areas and the need to protect productive farmers in order to feed our growing world population. The budget for agriculture agreed at the February Council meeting means the Irish agriculture sector will receive €11 billion for the period 2014 to 2020.

Likewise, I am optimistic that the Common Fisheries Policy, which was concluded yesterday and is to be finalised at the June plenary meeting, will guarantee a much better deal for the Irish fishing community in terms of guaranteed sustainable livelihoods while at the same time ensuring strict oversight and sustainable fish stocks. In this regard, I pay special tribute to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, for his skilful management of negotiations in respect of both portfolios. I pay special tribute to his officials for managing to persuade the other negotiating teams to appreciate the strength and logic of their viewpoint and for keeping MEPs briefed as the talks progressed.

I pay special tribute to what we regard as the common bureaucracy, known as the Permanent Representation, Perm Rep. Senator Leyden's daughter is one of the additional 55 staff that have been taken on by the Perm Rep. They are very successful in terms of their negotiating skills. Thanks to the Lisbon treaty, we are now consulted all along the line. My comments have been noted regarding decisions on the common agriculture and fisheries policies. Had it not been for the adoption of the Lisbon treaty by all 27 member states, our role as parliamentarians in the European Parliament would be merely consultative. Now, because of the treaty, there is co-decision-making, giving the Parliament full power of approval or rejection.

I referred to the success of the Irish Presidency. Some Members may know that since 2009, I have been a member of the Bureau of the European Parliament, which comprises the President of the Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz, 14 vice presidents and five MEPs known as quaestors, not wasters.