asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the grave unrest among sheep owners, he will give an assurance that the sheep subsidy at present being paid to them will be maintained.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep Subsidy.
I am not aware of grave unrest among sheep owners. The mountain lamb and hogget ewe subsidies will be continued this year, as announced on Friday, 31st May.
Will the Minister please expand on that. What about next year?
I was asked about the present year and I have given the answer.
Can we have an assurance that the sheep subsidy at present being paid will be maintained? It is a simple question.
It will be maintained for the present year. That is all I can guarantee at this point.
In view of the fact that it is important for farmers to plan ahead and to know exactly what they can do next year and the following year, will the Minister give some indication as to whether it is the intention of his Department to continue this subsidy?
No Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries has ever given a guarantee in the House that grant aid for any particular scheme would continue indefinitely.
It has been maintained for many years.
Perhaps the difficulty could be reconciled. If the Minister does not want to give a guarantee for the years ahead and bearing in mind that farming is at least an annual cycle, could he guarantee to give a year's notice if there is to be any change?
No.
These answers are very suspicious.