asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the implications of the Little Report and the Government's capital allocation for Erin Foods for small farmers supplying vegetables to that organisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Little Report.
10.
In the light of the Little Report and having regard to the provision for the food processing project made in the current year's Public Capital Programme, Erin Foods, Limited, is now engaged in a development of the UK market and an expansion of its existing range of products. The company's objective is the creation, within a reasonable time, of a substantial self-supporting food processing industry directed mainly to export. The success of the company's efforts towards expansion will, of course, benefit those supplying it with raw materials.
As was indicated in a reply to a question from the Deputy on 6th October, it is the intention to introduce further legislation as soon as possible to deal with the provision of additional Exchequer investment in the food project and a number of related matters, and this legislation will provide an opportunity for a full discussion of the point raised in the Deputy's question.
Does the allocation from the Capital Budget this year not indicate a lesser sum being spent on the promotion than that suggested in the Little Report and is this not a reason for disagreement with the former General Manager?
That may be so. The Capital Programme naturally envisages the amount of money expended over a period and related to the anticipated sum fixed then. But, as well as the sum of £45 million shown in the Capital Programme, a further sum in excess of £1 million is provided by way of refinancing in the current year. The company have asked to have until the end of this trading year to see what supports they should seek and what other objects they should set themselves.
Have the Government decided which recommendation they will accept—the Little Report recommendation or the projection to be produced at the end of the year?
The Government's decision has been based so far on the Little Report. There are certain recommendations there that appealed to the Government. Naturally, they had to put these to the company. The company have asked for this period until the end of the present trading year in order to see in what direction they ought to go. That is not unreasonable.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will have the Little Report circulated to Members.
The Little Report has been published by Erin Foods, Limited. It has already been laid before each House of the Oireachtas and 26 copies are available to Members in the Library of the House. Accordingly, I do not consider it necessary, having regard to the expense involved, to circulate the Report to all Members.
Surely the expense involved in providing copies to all members of the Oireachtas would be minute? Even if the cost per copy were £1, it would only amount to £143 for Deputies and £69 for Senators.
The cost is of some substance but I felt that by the placing of 26 copies in the Library, interested Deputies and Senators could get them there. If that number is not sufficient, I will see if further supplies can be made available.
If these reports were less elaborate in their makeup and paper, you could well afford to send more copies around.
Are the copies in the Library available to Deputies to take home or only to read in the Library?
The 26 copies in the Library may be taken away by Deputies who really want them. It has been arranged with the Librarian that three copies be kept. I also hope, as I said, to provide further copies if the present supply is exhausted.
Thank you.
I do not want to mislead the Deputy. At the moment a further limited supply will be available. If that runs out, I will see what can be done.
Whoever is down to the Library first.