asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider a scheme whereby farmers whose lands adjoin State forests could be compensated for damage caused to crops by deer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crop Damage Compensation.
56.
(Cavan): I do not propose to introduce such a scheme but my Department will, as heretofore, continue their efforts to keep deer populations in State forests at a level consistent with good management of deer stocks and the safeguarding of the interests of agriculture and forestry.
I would ask the permission of the Chair to raise on the Adjournment the proposed change in the voucher system for small farmers for keeping their stock. This is a very serious matter.
I will communicate with the Deputy but he should have given me earlier notice of this matter.
The Special Notice Question I put down regarding the increased price of petrol has been disallowed. I want to ask the Taoiseach if the Government intend to permit the increase of 10p to apply here after seven days' notice. Do they intend that the increased 10p will apply to existing stocks?
The Deputy is not entitled to deal with the matter in this fashion.
It will mean a bonanza of £3 million to the multi-national oil companies.
The Deputy will have to find another opportunity to raise the matter.
The increased 10p was applied in Britain today. We want to know what the Government are going to do about it here. We forecast the matter would come up and we are entitled to know if the increase will apply to existing stocks, as it did last year, and give a £3 million bonanza to the multi-national companies.
I have told the Deputy he is not in order in dealing with the matter in this fashion.
In view of the fact that Deputy Barrett forecast to the nearest 24 hours that this increase was coming and that there was a danger that it would be a Christmas present for the nation, will the Chair not allow some discussion on the matter?
No. Order of Business.