Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012
28 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations will be completed under Ireland’s presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28666/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the nature of any negotiation process, it is often difficult to accurately predict not only the outcome but even the timing of an outcome. This is especially the case when the interests of 27 Member States have to be reconciled across the enormous range of issues covered by the Commission's proposals on the reform of the CAP.
It is important to note also that key CAP issues are in fact being discussed in two parallel tracks, namely:
in the CAP reform negotiations in the Council of Agriculture Ministers, and at official level in the Special Committee on Agriculture and four separate working groups, and
in the negotiations on a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) setting the EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020, which take place in the General Affairs Council and, ultimately, in the European Council.
In addition, the European Parliament will have a key role in the process and in final decision making.
As a Member State taking over the reins of the EU Presidency in January 2013, Ireland is committed to playing an active and constructive role in securing agreement on the reform of the CAP. However, to do this, three things need to be happen:
there must be progress and ultimately agreement on the MFF,
the substantial progress made during the Danish presidency regarding technical issues must continue through the Cypriot presidency, and
all three institutions — the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission — need to engage actively in the negotiating process, with a commitment to seeking workable compromise.
I have assured Commissioner Ciolos and my Member State colleagues that Ireland is willing to play a full role, both before and during our presidency, in seeking agreement on this vital issue, both for the EU and for Ireland.
