asked the Minister for Finance the financial aid that is available from EEC funds for arterial drainage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arterial Drainage.
24.
Mr. Kenny
I am advised that at present no financial aid is available from EEC funds for arterial drainage but the situation will, of course, be kept under observation.
What funds are likely to be available and is the situation being kept under review by the Parliamentary Secretary's Department?
Mr. Kenny
As the situation is at present, funds are available only for industrial purposes. At a meeting on 11th January, 1973, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and attended by Dr. H. Zijlmans Director, Directorate General —Agriculture—in the EEC and other officials, the Department were notified that no aid was forthcoming for arterial drainage because the aid must be given to the beneficiary and not to the State.
A lot of people could be treated as beneficiaries if they put their cases forward to the proper authority.
The whole west would benefit. I thoroughly agree about this. No one knows better than myself.
Probably the Parliamentary Secretary would agree that arterial drainage is something that could well come within the ambit of the new regional policy which is being developed. Will he ensure that the case for the inclusion of our arterial drainage in a regional policy programme will be made effective?
Mr. Kenny
To the best of my ability I will ensure that.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that this money was only being allocated for industrial purposes.
Mr. Kenny
In the main.
Then, surely if we have arterial drainage we will have more developments in agriculture. Agriculture can be interpreted in any man's language as a very important industry.
Mr. Kenny
Exactly.
Under the scheme for aid to less-favoured farms or less-favoured farm areas have the Government put forward proposals? Is arterial drainage or minor catchment drainage included in any proposals put forward to the EEC by the Government?
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy will have to put down a question to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to get an answer to that.
This question relates to arterial drainage.
Mr. Kenny
Yes.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if it is part of a proposal for aid to less-favoured farmers?
Mr. Kenny
As I said, the Deputy will have to ask the Minister for Agriculture for a reply to that question because arterial drainage is only an ancillary to agriculture.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary is the person dealing with arterial drainage and if the Government have put forward proposals for the less-favoured areas surely he must be aware if arterial drainage was one of those matters put forward?
Mr. Kenny
Arterial drainage was brought up at this meeting attended by Dr. Zijlmans on the 11th January, 1973. He is an official of the directors of agriculture to the EEC. He stated to the officials present of the former Government that no aid for arterial drainage was forthcoming up to that time.
Surely we cannot accept that?
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy can accept it if he wants to.
What action are the Government going to take?
Mr. Kenny
They are going to take the action they think fit in the west of Ireland and other places where arterial drainage is of prime importance.