asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has made representations to the French Government to ensure that the French market will be made fully available for Irish lamb exports and for a reduction in the licence fee.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep and Lamb Industry.
14.
Yes, on many occasions and within the last month. Also, I have been continuing to press EEC on a CAP for sheep.
The Minister does not seem to have got anything concrete. Is he aware that there has been an increase in the levy from 7p to 19p a pound? Would he not ensure that in the Council of Ministers some pressure is brought to bear on the French Government to ease this and to open the market again?
As I said, I have never ceased to press for the common organisation of the market and I have explained that only Ireland is really interested and we have to wait until the Commission come up with proposals. This is something that cannot be initiated by the Council of Ministers. It can only be pressed there and spoken of and the Commission urged to come with proposals. So far they have not come with proposals.
As the Minister is chairman, would his word not carry some weight in having it pressed and brought forward?
The Deputy is aware of all the statements made by Commissioner Lardinois in relation to this and his most recent one that it cannot be settled until we know whether Britain is in or out.
Arising from the Minister's reply and also from his statement last night, will he take the French to court for their gross violation of the Treaty of Rome?
The Deputy may be assuming too much.
I want to know if the Minister is going to lo it. He will have our backing if he does.
He slept on it.
He never slept on it. There is a wise course and an unwise course. I am taking what I believe to be the wise course.
Take them to court and we will support the Minister.
15.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the great importance of the sheep and lamb industry to the Irish economy, he will state the occasion on which he last raised in the Council of Agriculture Minister of the EEC the necessity of bringing sheep within the ambit of the Common Agricultural Policy; whether he has pressed for the implementation of the undertaking given in June, 1974, by Commissioner Lardinois that sheep would be included without delay; and when Mr. Lardinois was requested to implement his undertaking.
I have pressed both the EEC Council of Minister and the EEC Commission for proposals for a common market organisation for sheep on numerous occasions during the past two years. The matter was last mentioned at the council meeting on 4th March. Commissioner Lardinois has considered that until the UK membership issue is resolved suitable proposals are not practicable.
What difference does it make whether we have a common policy on sheep or not when the common policy is not being adhered to? It is only a policy on paper as far as I can see.
The Deputy is making an argument.
I want to know the usefulness of a common policy when it is not adhered to?
I do not know where the Deputy is referring to breaches of the common agricultural policy and when he is not specific I cannot reply.
In the cattle trade.
There was no breach in the cattle trade.
There was.
No.