asked the Minister for Agriculture what is the amount of money spent by his Department during the past four years out of the Vote for the improvement and extension of agricultural markets; and if he will make a statement as to the results.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Markets.
25.
The amount spent out of the Marketing of Agricultural Produce Account during the past four years was £22,523, representing almost entirely the expenses incurred by the Advisory Committee on Marketing of Agricultural Produce and the cost of participation in turkey publicity campaigns in Britain as recommended by the Committee.
As indicated in the White Paper on the Export Marketing of Agricultural Produce, the policy of the Government is that this account should be used for such purposes as market surveys and sales promotion in respect of dairy produce, pigmeat and some other agricultural products. It was decided that the bulk of the funds in the account should not be committed until after the establishment of An Bord Bainne and of the new Pigs and Bacon Commission. These two bodies have, of course, been established only quite recently.
Will the Minister state how much is left in that fund?
If the Deputy deducts £22,523 from the £250,000, he will get the answer.
Is it not a gross abuse to announce an appropriation of £250,000 for the development of markets for Irish produce abroad four years ago and then, at the end of four years, to announce that £27,000 has been spent? Either the appropriation was fraudulent or there has been gross incompetence on the part of the Executive in administering it.
I am not accepting either fraud or incompetence from the Deputy.
Is it not a fraud to appropriate £250,000 four years ago to develop agricultural marketing and to inform us you have now spent £27,000?
It will all be spent in time.