asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will introduce a subsidy to offset losses in the sale of store cattle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Store Cattle Sales.
25.
Any question of a subsidy on sales of store cattle can only be considered in the context of the overall policy to be decided on by the Council of Ministers and the EEC Commission who are continuing their examination of the situation with a view to improving the market for cattle and beef within the Community.
Would the Minister not consider taking some domestic action to help these farmers over the disaster they are witnessing at present? Is the Minister aware that, despite his statement of a few moments ago that farmers are not doing badly at all——
I said "somewhat".
——these are the farmers who can least afford to suffer the heavy losses they are suffering at the moment? Is he further aware that I have been exhorted to put down questions by the IFA who accuse us as the Opposition of not fully exposing the disaster which agriculture is experiencing at present?
The Deputy is making a statement rather than asking a supplementary question.
I have had discussions with the IFA and they are quite satisfied, as the ICMSA are satisfied, that I am doing everything possible to improve the situation for the type of farmer about whom the Deputy is concerned.
The Minister said he is doing everything possible. Will he tell us exactly what he is doing to restore trade at the moment?
No. I will not tell the Deputy.
The Minister said he was doing everything possible and now he will not tell us what he is doing.
I am in the process of negotiating.
Since when.
Because I am in the process of negotiating there are certain things I will not tell the House because it would be to the detriment of the farmers.
Stonewall Clinton.
(Interruptions.)
If Deputy MacSharry seeks information he ought to do the Minister the courtesy of listening to him.
When will the Minister know the results of these negotiations?
I hope after the meetings of the 15th and 16th of July.
When the Dáil will be in recess.