asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the adoption of the green £ will benefit producers of young cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Green £ Introduction.
22.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when the Government will make a decision on the proposed introduction of the green £; and if he will make a statement on the advantages and disadvantages of its introduction.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The Government's examination of a change in the representative rate of the £ for the purposes of the Common Agricultural Policy has reached an advanced stage, but there are many other considerations to be looked at before reaching a firm decision in regard to making an approach to the Council of Ministers.
Pending a decision by the Minister and the Government is he aware that the production of livestock on dairy farms has increased and that they traditionally hold on to stock for one or two years? Because of the overstocking they are very worried at present due to the collapse of that trade. If the position is further aggravated due to the scarcity of fodder and manures——
The Deputy is making a speech rather than asking a supplementary question.
Will the Minister take some necessary steps to alleviate the problem for those people?
I can assure the Deputy I fully appreciate the difficulties being experienced, particularly by people who have young stock at present and who normally rear and sell young stock. All I can say is that I am taking every step that is open to me to negotiate a better deal for these people. The least that is said about it, while we are in the process of negotiation, the better for the people concerned.
I appreciate that. Would the Minister not agree it is necessary, in order to strengthen the national economy, to introduce those measures as soon as possible before the position deteriorates further?
The Deputy will find himself out on a limb for telling the truth.
In other words I am not bluffing.
The Minister is doing that all the time. Is he aware that one of the farming journals stated that a decision has been reached already on the introduction of the green £? If a decision has not been taken when is it likely to come about and will the Government make a statement on it? How do they intend to introduce it? Will it come into this House or will we get a White Paper on the advantages or disadvantages?
Could the Deputy avoid putting his supplementaries in an omnibus form?
This is very important because the introduction of the green £ will affect the milk processing industry.
I want to help the Deputy. Will he be precise in his supplementaries?
This a very important matter. Will the Minister state if he is aware of what the farming journals have said?
I am not responsible for what the farming journals say.
Has no decision been taken?
A Deputy
Is the Minister responsible for the green £?
I am responsible for trying to get the best possible deal for Irish farmers and I am not going to disclose everything I have in my head in relation to what I will try to do about this.
Will there be a White Paper on the advantages or disadvantages?
Not at all. There will not be a White Paper.
The Minister is only bluffing about the green £.
Is the Minister against the green £?
The Deputy should be anxious to help the farmers.
I must pass on to the next question.
We have complete confidence in the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.
(Interruptions.)
What steps, if any, are being taken now, to try to get an outlet for the stock which Deputy Taylor referred to in the Italian market which we lost last year? Is there any effort being made to get one this year?
Every possible effort is being made.
On a point of order——
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Colley on a point of order.
——might I inquire whether the Minister by mistake omitted a portion of his reply, because he does not appear to have replied to Deputy Meaney's question asking him if he will make a statement on the advantages and disadvantages of its introduction?
I read the full reply.
Question No. 24. Let us make some progress.
On a point of order——
Is it a point of order?
I think it is.
Let us see.
It is for you to judge. In view of the fact that we on this side of the House did not hear the full contents of the Minister's reply to Question No. 23, could I ask the Minister to repeat the answer?
I am afraid we cannot go back on a question which was answered and on which a large number of supplementaries were replied to.
A large number of people are interested in the reply.