asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to reports that a large quantity of Irish intervention beef is unaccounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intervention Beef.
6.
I know of no such reports, nor is there any ground for them.
Is the Minister aware of the statement which appeared in the papers about the sale of intervention meat to a French firm and then to a a third country? This meant that Irish firms and the Department missed out on £9 million.
I am aware of the article which appeared in the Farming Independent on 1st February. This did not refer specifically to the sales of Irish beef. It talked about intervention beef. More informed articles have appeared in the same paper since then and if we read it in retrospect we see this. The price was known all the time; it was there for anyone to examine it. There are terms for the sale of intervention beef. There is no secret about the price. It is advisable at times not to make the destination known. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, it is not a help to this country to highlight destinations. We are doing well out of intervention and should not be trying to stop sales by that. There was an article in——
I am not trying to do that. There was an article in——
The Deputy must ask a question.
——Monday's paper which said we missed out on a subsidy from the EEC.
We have not missed out on any subsidy. It is a pity this type of false report should get any credence in this House.