asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the Macamore area, County Wexford, which contains 40,000 acres, was not included in the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
14.
The criteria on which areas may be selected for inclusion under the disadvantaged areas directive relate not only to the quality of the land but also to the level of economic indices, including the general level of farm income, and population levels and trends. On the basis of these criteria the Macamore area would not qualify for inclusion.
Can the Minister say who determines which areas are to be included in the disadvantaged areas scheme? Is the Minister aware that land in the Macamore area is the highest valued land in Ireland but that it is also the wettest? Therefore, would he reconsider the matter to see whether it could be included in the scheme?
I do not know the Macamore area as well as the Deputy knows it but I know it fairly well. A further note on the file might help the Deputy. This says that in the case of the Macamore area two of the criteria of the directive are not capable of being met. First, the land cannot be said to be suffering from a degree of handicap that would make it incapable of being overcome by any normal programme of improvement works. In other words, the land is not permanently physically handicapped as required by the directive. Where land drainage has been carried out the land has been found capable of catering for intensive livestock production. Secondly, the fact that the Macamore area is surrounded by good quality land means that farm incomes are relatively high. Indeed, in the rural districts which embrace the Macamores farm incomes are significantly higher than the national average and not appreciably below as required by the directive if an area is to qualify.
The decision is made in Brussels. The various areas for consideration are put forward by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. We spent 12 months in discussion and argument in an effort to have included in the scheme the maximum areas of land. Obviously, the Macamores do not measure up to the criteria stipulated.
Can the Minister say whether county committees of agriculture are informed before the schemes are put forward at Brussels? In Wexford the situation arose whereby the farming organisations were informed earlier than were the county committee of agriculture that the Macamores were not to be included in the scheme. Would the Minister consider that to be the proper procedure?
Anybody who was considered to have a contribution to make was consulted, especially where there was any doubt. For example, the Agricultural Institute were in on the discussions. In many cases the advisory officers of the county committees of agriculture had discussions with the Department and anybody who sought discussions with me or with the officers of the Department were facilitated.
Question No. 15.
I should like to inform the Minister——
This is Question Time, Deputy.
——that Wexford County Committee of Agriculture were not invited to take part in the discussions.
If land is capable of improvement by drainage, it is disqualified from inclusion in the scheme.
Can the Minister say whether the list of the areas has been settled finally?
It has been accepted finally.
Has it been settled finally?
Yes.
Can there be any appeal to anybody at this stage?
There is very limited scope for consideration for extra areas.
What procedure should be adopted in respect of any area that the people concerned wished to have included?
First, they would put their case to the Department and the Department would either convince them or fail to convince them of the possibility of the area being included. If there is any doubt some area could, perhaps, be considered still but we held up the scheme for 12 months in an effort to have included the maximum areas.
For the benefit of all those people who are inquiring as to what is the position, may we take it that it is still possible for their areas to be included and that the procedure is to apply to the Department for inclusion?
I would not wish to mislead the Deputy on this.
There would be nothing new in the Minister doing that.
I have letters from people in County Meath asking what areas of that county are included in the scheme.
These people did not approach me.
Deputy Crinion is not guilty in this case. If people are in doubt, they are welcome to inquire from the Department as to the position and already we have had many people making similar inquiries but there is no point in giving the general impression that to continue harping at the Department would ensure the inclusion of any area.
Is it the situation——
We have dwelt for a long time on this question.
It is a matter of vital public interest. Is it the situation that if there is an area which satisfies all the criteria it could still be included?
There would still be the possibility of having it included.
One final question— would it be possible to include land that is in need of drainage?
No. If land is capable of being improved so as to bring it up to the level of good quality land, that in itself indicated that it is failing to measure up to some of the criteria.
Question No. 15.
Is drainage not included?
No and neither is the size of farm.
Drainage should be included.
Can the Minister say——
We have had a debate on this subject.
——whether application for inclusion in the scheme should be made by individuals or by groups of farmers?
Anyone can make a case but it is not possible to take in half a farm or half a district. There must be boundaries that can be recognised on a map and not merely fields on a man's farm. These districts must be adjoining existing areas.
Is there any area limit?
No.