Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1972

Vol. 261 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Agricultural Directives.

46.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number and dates of meetings which took place to consider the draft directives on modernisation of farms, retirement pensions and farm training and advice between representatives of the applicant countries and of the existing member states prior to the taking of a final decision on those directives by the Council of Ministers at the end of March, 1972; by whom Ireland was represented at each of these meetings; if he will indicate the proposals put forward by Ireland in regard to these directives and the extent to which these proposals were accepted in the draft directives which were finally decided upon at the end of March; and if he is satisfied in every respect with the decision finally taken and, if not, in what respects is he dissatisfied.

47.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he received copies of the directives on the modernisation of farms, retirement pensions and farm training and advice which were decided upon at the end of March, 1972; and if copies of these directives will be circulated to Members of the Dáil and Seanad.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. J. Gibbons)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.

These directives, which were, of course, linked to the Communities' agricultural price proposals for 1972-73, were published in the issue of the Official Journal of the European Communities for 23rd April, 1972, a copy of which was received in my Department some days later. I understand that arrangements are being made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to have copies of the Journal placed in the Library.

The draft directives were discussed at meetings with the European Commission on 9th February, 1972, and with representatives of the existing member states on 28th and 29th March, 1972. The Irish representatives comprised officers of my Department, the Departments of Finance and Lands, and the Irish Mission to the Communities.

The directives with which my Department are concerned are generally acceptable to us. Multilateral working parties are, however, to be established to examine problems arising in the pigmeat sector and in the eggs and poultry sector, and there are to be technical contacts between the Commission and the acceding member states to examine the operation of the directives in those states taking into account the fact that the implementing procedures have still to be adopted by the Council. In addition, the Council are to take some further decisions on agricultural structural matters later in the year.

I should add that the directive on retirement pensions is a matter for the Minister for Lands.

Mr. Bruton

Is the Minister satisfied that adequate consultation took place between himself and the farming organisations on the precise terms of these directives so that their views could be reflected in the negotiating position adopted? Is he satisfied also that the meeting with the applicant countries on this matter did not take place until 28th March, which was four days after the existing members had come to a final decision?

Mr. J. Gibbons

With regard to the first part of the question, having had full consultation with the farming organisations I am satisfied that the consultative arrangements that I have got with these organisations at the present time are adequate. There are frequent consultations with the members of the farming organisations. I consider this to be both desirable and necessary in present circumstances. I am also satisfied that the amount of consultation that took place between our officials and the officials of the Community in Brussels are continuous. They go on all the time. It has to be remembered that when the Six themselves were considering their own arrangements for the coming year this was primarily a matter for themselves. Under the arrangements that exist at the moment for applicant countries, of which we are one, this arrangement was adhered to.

Mr. Bruton

Does the Minister consider it desirable that the copies of the actual decision taken should not be available in this country, even to his own Department, until a full month after the decisions have been taken, and then only in the French language? Is the Minister also satisfied that discussions took place between his Department and the farming organisations between 24th March, when the decisions were taken by the Council, and the 28th March when the applicant countries were called in? Why did discussions not take place on this specific issue in relation to the detailed directives prior to a decision being taken by the Council of Ministers of the existing Six so that some influence could be had on those decisions and we would be not just taking whatever was handed out after the event?

Mr. J. Gibbons

Could I deal with the omnibus question first? It seems to suggest that during all the continuous negotiations and contacts that are going on, have gone on and will continue to go on between our officials and officials in Brussels each and every item of these consultations should be discussed in particular and in detail with the farming organisations, as and when they occur. This would further impede the arrival at decisions. With regard to the availability of the Journal and the fact that it is printed in French, I do not think this is a very serious difficulty at all. The Department have adequate translation facilities. I understand from a question answered in this House yesterday by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that this document will be available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Bruton

In French—and we have no translation services. Will the Minister provide translation facilities?

Mr. J. Gibbons

I cannot undertake to provide translations of every document from French.

Mr. Bruton

This is an extremely important document.

Mr. Tully

This would have been interesting before the referendum.

48.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what Irish agricultural schemes he expects will qualify for aid from the EEC funds from 1st February, 1973, when, according to the Treaty of Accession, new members shall apply the common rules and regulations of the Community concerning agriculture at both internal and external level.

Mr. J. Gibbons

The various schemes of grants operated by my Department are being reviewed in relation to Community arrangements, including the aspect of qualification for support from Community funds, especially in the context of the directives for the improvement of agricultural structures, which were adopted recently by the Council of Ministers.

Any necessary support for exports to member states during the transitional period will be by a system of compensatory amounts, the cost of which will fall to be met by the Community. Any necessary refunds on exports to third countries would also fall to be paid from Community funds.

Mr. Bruton

Could the Minister tell me if Community funds will be available for structural measures in Irish agriculture such as the Land Project and the small farm incentive bonus scheme, right from 1st January?

Mr. J. Gibbons

The application of a number of schemes which are at present operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and their suitability for assimilation into a common EEC structure are at present being examined by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the EEC together. It might be prejudicial to these examinations to make categorical statements about them at this time. It would be prejudicial to the interests of Irish farming to examine them in too great detail at this time.

Mr. Bruton

If our aids, particularly in the Land Project scheme, are to qualify for Community aid they must conform to detailed requirements which are laid down in the directive of 24th March. I want to know the steps which the Minister is taking to ensure that our Land Project schemes will qualify for such aid and, if so, if he would indicate how soon the reconstituted Land Project plan will be put through this House in the form of legislation.

Mr. J. Gibbons

I thought I had already replied to that. The Land Project and other schemes as well are at present being examined by the Brussels authorities and our own officials. Since that is the case, it might be as well to await the outcome of these investigations before making any categorical statements which might be prejudicial.

Mr. Enright

In regard to the purchase of land by non-nationals, is there any particular scheme whereby non-nationals may be allowed to purchase land?

Mr. J. Gibbons

This has no relevance at all to the question before me or to this particular Department.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a separate question altogether. It does not arise on the question under discussion. We cannot have any discussion on it.