asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps have been taken in regard to the £250,000 set aside for improving the marketing of agricultural produce.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marketing of Agricultural Produce.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state when he intends setting up the proposed marketing committee.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
As already announced, it is proposed to establish an advisory committee on the marketing of agricultural produce. It is intended that the grant-in-aid of £250,000 which is being made available for the general purpose of improving the marketing of agricultural produce should be used for such matters as financing projects for market investigation and development suggested by the committee. Final arrangements for the establishment of the committee are at present being made.
Inasmuch as nine months of the financial year are now past, how much does the Minister expect of the £250,000, being made available, will be spent in the course of this financial year if the committee has not yet been constituted?
The passage of time is a consideration. There is also the consideration that the interested parties have to be consulted. You have to try and get suitable people—people who are willing to serve. There is no means of compelling them to do so. As a result of all these processes the committee is about to be formed and I shall bring it together as soon as I can. As to the other matters, I am afraid I cannot give the Deputy any further information.