asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of tons of beef that have gone into intervention; and the number of tons stored in Ireland and abroad.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Storage.
7.
Approximately 4,400 tons of beef have so far been purchased into intervention of which some 3,600 tons are stored here and 800 tons are stored abroad.
Is the Minister aware that a number of cold stores were not and are not too keen on taking beef for intervention? Would he ensure that there will be plenty of cold storage in case of a glut of beef?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that this is not confined to Ireland. Nobody wants this intervention beef in his stores because he does not know when it will move, if it ever moves.
Are they not being paid for storing the beef?
They are, of course, but they do not know for how long or for how short it will be with them. It is a difficult thing to operate.
Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient cold storage facilities are available and is he satisfied with the other storage facilities in the country?
The answer to that is obvious. We would not send out beef to other countries if we had storage here, but I would point out once more that we are not the only country in the EEC which has not cold storage. Germany has not.
There was a reason for my supplementary. On 8th November last the Minister said there were adequate facilities and I now ask him whether grants could be made available by the IDA to provide cold storage?
I have asked IDA to look again at this.
Is the Minister aware that factory owners have been complaining about the very long delays experienced and of having been told by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries when they could not be accommodated to hold on to their stocks?
I have already said in that respect that no factory has been kept more than the six days allowed for intervention.
I respectfully suggest that if the Minister holds a full scale inquiry he will find this is not accurate.
If the Deputy has information that a factory has been held for more than the allowed six days he can submit it to me and I will look into the matter.
Can I take it that arrangements will be made for the provision of adequate cold storage in the future? It has not been provided in the past and there is need for it because it may be necessary to have intervention buying of beef and bacon in the years ahead.
We are taking all the steps open to us in this matter.