asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to help glasshouse industries which are in serious difficulties at the present time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glasshouse Industries.
10.
The difficulties at present being experienced by the glasshouse industry are due particularly to the rising cost of oil for heating purposes. These difficulties are not unique to this country and until the position improves the consumer of glasshouse products at home and abroad can expect to find the rising cost of glasshouse production reflected in product prices. I am keeping the situation under constant review. I should mention that under EEC requirements unilateral introduction of new subsidies would not be permissable, especially in regard to tomatoes for which there is a common organisation of the market. Growers have, of course, already been grant aided on the capital cost of glass-houses and can continue to qualify for grant assistance under the EEC farm modernisation scheme.
Would the Minister agree to remove the VAT factor from the cost of oil? This would go some way towards helping the glasshouse industry.
Our glasshouse growers have exactly the same conditions as their competitors everywhere. What the Deputy is asking is for a new relief and we are not permitted to do that sort of thing.