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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Common Agricultural Policy.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

169 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the recent discussions he has had with European leaders in relation to the reform of the CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5985/99]

Since the original Commission proposals were published on 18 March 1998, I have made it clear in my discussions with the Commissioner and with my colleagues in the Council of Agriculture Ministers that the Irish Government could not accept them, as they would seriously damage Irish agriculture and the Irish economy. At recent meetings of the Council of Ministers, the German Presidency has put forward compromise proposals which included certain improvements in the proposals from Ireland's point of view. However, the overall package to date is still far removed from what I would consider acceptable.

The Council will resume its work today with a view to meeting the deadline set by the European Council for a political agreement on Agenda 2000 as a whole by the end of March.

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