asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an article on farming in European Community, January, 1970; and if having regard to (a) the percentage key figures for (1) Belgium (6.8), (2) Germany (32.9), (3) France (32.6), (4) Italy (20.2), (5) Luxembourg (0.2), (6) Netherlands (7.3), and (b) the moving key figures for (1) Belgium (8.25), (2) Germany (31.70), (3) France (28.00), (4) Italy (21.50), (5) Luxembourg (0.20), (6) Netherlands (10.35) he will furnish, on the basis of information available, the estimated percentage key figure and the moving key figure likely to be applicable to this country in relation to levies, etc.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farming Article.
43.
I have seen the article to which the Deputy refers. The percentages quoted at (b) of the question relates to the financing of the common agricultural policy during the year 1970 only and will not, therefore, apply to new members.
The percentages quoted by the Deputy at (a) of the question represent the division among the present member States of the cost of financing that part of the Community's budget not covered by the surrender to the Community of (i) the yield of the agricultural levies and (ii) an increasing part of the yield of the common customs tariff during the period 1971 to 1974. It is not possible at present to estimate the percentage figure which would be applicable to this country in the event of our accession taking place during that period. The percentage figures agreed by the Council were the result of negotiations among the present member States of the Community and the percentage figure applicable to this country, as indeed to each of the other applicant countries, would likewise be a matter for negotiation with the Community.
Surely the Minister could make a comparison? That is all he is asked to do. With regard to (b) the fact that the figures are for these countries does not alter the fact that the Minister should be able to get comparable information for this country.
That does not seem to have been possible. If it were possible I am sure it would have been done. It is a matter for negotiation and, outside of negotiation, it would be pure speculation.
There is no question of negotiation. There is a key figure fixed which refers to the economies of the six countries already there. Surely on the basis of that the Minister should be able to estimate what the percentage would be here? Otherwise how will the Minister for Finance estimate what the cost will be as has been done in Britain?
The figure is based on a moving key which, I think the Deputy knows, means member states' percentage contributions will not vary more than 1 per cent upwards or 1.5 per cent downwards up to 1974 or more than 2 per cent either way after that.
There is a fixed key.
There is a percentage related to the preceding year on a figure which starts off——
There is a moving key mentioned for the future but surely there is a fixed key, a figure fixed on which the present figures are based?
This would be a product of negotiation. I am sure the Minister would have supplied these figures if it was possible to supply them without negotiation.
I must accept that the Minister has this down in his brief but I am not prepared to accept that these figures cannot be produced. I think they could be produced if the Minister wanted to.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.