asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the fact that there will be an increase of 1p in the price of butter as a result of the new EEC agreement on farm prices, he will not reduce the subsidy on butter this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Subsidy.
41.
I am unable to depart from the provisions of the Treaty of Accession in this matter.
Does this mean the price of butter will go up by 2p?
I cannot say exactly the amount of increase.
The Minister has already mentioned that, as a result of increased prices for milk, the price of butter will go up by 1p——
Less than 1p.
On 1st April a 20 per cent subsidy will be taken off which will represent the equivalent of another 1p. Can the Minister give some indication of what will happen?
From 1st April the Irish intervention price for 85 per cent butter fat increased by £14.43 per ton. This increase is equivalent to .64p per lb which, with the .96p mentioned, represents a total price increase of 1.6p per lb.
Can the Minister state the amount——
I have already allowed the Deputy a number of supplementary questions. We must pass on to Question No. 42.
It is an important matter——
All questions on the Order Paper are important.
Perhaps the Deputy might address his question to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
I have already called Question No. 42.