asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that, in the most agriculturally disadvantaged areas of the EEC, that is to say the west of Ireland, the farm modernisation aids must be further augmented in order to redress structural imbalances and maintain the rural structure or fabric; and if he will state (a) the plans Ireland has under this heading (b) whether Ireland has prepared a list of less-favoured areas qualifying for special investment and direct income aids and (c) the percentage of FEOGA contributions which will be required to underwrite this special programme in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Modernisation Aids.
54.
The directive on mountainous and other agriculturally less-favoured areas, the terms of which have already been agreed to in principle by the Council of Ministers, is designed to complement Directive 159/72 on the modernisation of farms. The aim of the measure is to raise farm incomes in the areas concerned in order to ensure the continuation of farming and thereby to maintain a minimum level of population and to conserve the countryside.
The special system of aids for the less-favoured areas may include a supplementary income payment in the form of a livestock headage grant, higher investment aids for development farmers, aid for joint investment projects and the continuation of national aids to farmers who do not come into the development category.
A list of the areas in this country in which the directive might be applied is at present being prepared for submission to the EEC Commission. It will be a matter for the Council of Ministers to approve of the lists from the various member states when these have been examined and cleared by the Commission.
The FEOGA contribution to the livestock headage payments also remains to be settled by the Council of Ministers but it will be not less than 25 per cent or more than 50 per cent. In the case of any other aids qualifying for Community financing the FEOGA contribution will be the same as under Directive 159 namely 25 per cent of the expenditure incurred by the member state. There will, of course, be no FEOGA contribution to national aids extended to farmers outside the development category.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be able to tell us when it is likely that Members of this House will be made aware of the list of the less favoured areas?
I expect Members of the House will be shortly made aware of it. We are possibly more advanced than other countries and it is expected we will have our list ready shortly. When I say shortly I would say within the next month. It was hoped that the member States would be able to supply the information required for consideration by the Commission this month but it is unlikely some of the other countries will have the information ready. Let us hope all will be well for June. If we were in a position to supply the information today, it could not be considered until the information was forthcoming from the other eight members of the Commission.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise the subject matter of Question No. 2 of Wednesday, 8th May, 1974, on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.