asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when Ireland will present plans to the guidance section of the Common Market agricultural fund for expenditure by them in Ireland; and if he is aware of a statement (details supplied) which suggests that unless these plans are presented soon Ireland might not be able to draw from the fund.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market Agricultural Fund.
35.
The question of putting forward projects for assistance from the guidance section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund after Ireland's accession is under examination at present, and proposals will be submitted to the Community at an appropriate stage. In this connection it should be noted that the latest date for the submission of proposals for the current year by the existing member states is 1st June next.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Director General of the European Farm Fund, as reported in Business and Finance of 2nd March, drew specific attention to the fact that Ireland had not yet submitted plans? If this was a matter of normal course he would not have drawn attention to it. Presumably, therefore, there must be some significance in his having done so. Has the Parliamentary Secretary consulted with the Director General to find out whether we should have submitted something at this stage?
As I said, the position is that 1st June next is the date for submitting proposals. At present these proposals are under consideration and they will be submitted in time. There is no question whatever of our being late in regard to this matter. I have no comment to make on the other matter.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what consultations are taking place in relation to these proposals and whether they have been made available in draft form to any of the interested farming organisations?
As I have said, the proposals are under consideration now by the Department. They have not been made available yet in draft form to any of the farming organisations but we have until 1st June to submit our proposals. That gives us plenty of time.
Will they be made available in draft form?
The deadline of the 1st June is approximately two and a half months away. If there is to be serious consultation with the responsible farming bodies representing the different sectors of agriculture, a period of two and a half months seems very short for such consultations and for possibly altering proposals in the light of the opinions of the farming organisations. Could we have an assurance that serious and bona fide consultations with the responsible farming organisations will take place on this matter?
I have no doubt that the consultations will take place, because, as the Deputy knows, we are in touch at all times with the farming organisations on such important matters.
Since this Government cannot produce the ordinary Estimates volume on time, can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us how they hope to do a job of this kind before the 1st June?
What does the Deputy mean by "on time"?
The beginning of the financial year which is the 1st of April.
The Deputy has lost touch.
I have not but the Minister's Department are like a mangy old lion. They are falling to pieces and never more so than this year.