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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1976

Vol. 293 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Feed Voucher Scheme.

11.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount outstanding in claims by merchants under the cattle feed voucher scheme.

12.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when all outstanding claims under the cattle feed voucher scheme will be paid.

13.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount of money that has been paid out in cattle feed vouchers; the number of vouchers that have not been honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter as merchants and agricultural co-operatives are now taking steps to recoup money from farmers.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.

I indicated in my reply to parliamentary questions on the 4th November, 1975, that the encashment of the outstanding genuine cattle feed vouchers was the liability of the Irish Fresh Meat Exporters Society Ltd. and that the Society then had remaining liabilities of about £200,000 in respect of some 27,000 such vouchers. I am not aware of any change in the position since that date.

My Department estimates that approximately £3,100,000 was paid by the society to merchants in respect of genuine vouchers.

I am seeking the Minister's protection in regard to merchants and co-operatives who are now disowning the vouchers.

As the Deputy knows, there has been a High Court case about this. The outcome of that was that the fresh meat exporters have been held responsible but they have decided to appeal that decision in the Supreme Court.

So it is still sub judice.

Do I take it that no matter what is the outcome of the court decision the Department are not accepting any responsibility?

I am so legally advised that the Department have no responsibility.

The last time I asked a question about this the Minister said he could say nothing until the court case was over.

I said that if the outcome of the court case was that the Department were responsible the Department would pay.

Is the Minister telling the House that those merchants, under a scheme which if not initiated by the Department had their blessing, may now find that they will not be paid on foot of those vouchers for goods they delivered and supplied to farmers?

I have not said that.

Is that not possible? The Minister speaks now about an appeal.

The High Court has held the fresh meat exporters responsible and they have appealed their case to the Supreme Court.

Arising further out of the Minister's reply——

I must admonish Deputies to be careful not to refer to matters sub judice.

Would the Minister not agree that when the merchants became involved in this scheme they did so in the belief that the Department had recommended it, also in the belief that they would be paid for the services rendered and the goods supplied? Is it not a ridiculous situation that almost two years have elapsed and yet small merchants throughout the country have not been paid?

I think it is very unfortunate. I agree with the Deputy. But these vouchers were the vouchers of the fresh meat exporters and the undertaking to pay was given by the fresh meat exporters.

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