Vol. 252 No. 11
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the Irish Commercial Horticultural Association on 3rd March, 1971 regarding the increased cost of fuel oil and the probable adverse effect of such increase on the tomato industry; and if it is proposed to introduce measures to assist the Irish horticulture industry to switch from fuel oil to gas heating.
31.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the probable adverse repercussions on a Waterford firm (name supplied) in the horticultural industry due to the exceptional increase in the price of heavy fuel oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
I have seen the statement referred to. I am not aware that, following the increase in the commercial cost of fuel oil, the glasshouse industry would find it practicable to switch to gas heating in the absence of supplies here of relatively cheap natural gas.
As against the extra cost of fuel oil to the horticultural industry, I would point out that in the case of the home market measures of protection from imports apply in the case of tomatoes and other glasshouse crops. Our exports of these are primarily to the United Kingdom where restrictions also apply to imports from countries other than Ireland. It was recently announced by the British authorities that special aid to offset the increased fuel cost would not be granted to UK producers.
I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on this subject by Deputy Richie Ryan on 24th March.
Our main competitors on the English market are the Dutch and I understand that they are subsidised in the matter of fuel oil. Would it be possible for Irish tomato producers to be subsidised also in relation to the fuel oil which they use for the production of tomatoes for export?
We are the only country that exports to the UK without import restrictions. This is an advantage we have over the Dutch. If we find that our horticultural producers are getting into difficulties in the British market we will have the position looked at.
If it is proved that they are in difficulties, such as those experienced by the firm I mentioned in Question No. 31, will steps be taken to alleviate the situation?
Of course the cost to the British producer has risen in keeping with the costs in this country because of the increase in the price of fuel oil. As I said, we are the only country that can export to the UK without restriction. If we find that we are getting unfair competition on the UK market from the Dutch, or from any other country, we will have the position investigated.
