asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries his policy relative to grants and exports for the glasshouse industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glasshouse Industry.
47.
As indicated in the Government's Third Programme, the scheme of grants for glasshouse nurseries has been very successful and the potential now exists for a substantial expansion of output most of which will be for export. To date some £1,140,000 has been paid in grants and for 1970-71 provision has been made for a grant expenditure of £400,000. As announced in March last certain priorities and grant limits were introduced.
I agree with the Minister that grants have helped a great deal but I am concerned as to whether there is consistency in giving these grants. Has the Minister any plan for the proper export marketing of tomatoes?
The question does not relate to the preparation of plans for exporting but as my reply suggests, most of the produce will be for export and we can export such produce. It will be canned export, so to speak.
Is the Minister doing anything to organise the export effort?
That is a different question.
It is tied up with my question. There is no point in giving grants unless there is organised effort for the export of tomatoes. The industry is in a poor way in relation to exports at the moment.
I have the utmost confidence in the industry and I believe that the growers themselves will be able to regulate their own markets.
Further arising——
Question No. 48.
Unless there is some move by the Minister to regulate the market here there are certain people who will not export and who will thereby glut the Irish market at the expense of people who are anxious to have an organised market and organised exports.