asked the Minister for Agriculture when the EEC-aided measures for structural improvement in the west of Ireland will take effect; if such aids are already being given in France and Italy; and the reason for the delay in introducing them here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Structural Improvement Aids.
6.
In response to an initiative taken by me in the Council of Ministers last May, the EEC Commission are preparing proposals for special measures to improve the structural situation of agriculture in the west of Ireland. A comprehensive memorandum on the subject was prepared here and forwarded to the Commission in August last year. This memorandum forms the basis for the Commission's work on the proposals.
I have been pressing for the early introduction of these proposals and I expect that they will be before the Council in the near future. A number of EEC-aided measures aimed at structural improvements in the Mediterranean regions of France and Italy have been introduced as indeed has the programme to accelerate drainage operations in the west of Ireland.
Would the Minister not agree that it is entirely wrong that both France and Italy, which have a higher gross national product per head than Ireland, should be getting structural aid now while we will not get it until next year? The Minister should have ensured that our aid was introduced at the same time as it was in France and Italy.
I do not think it is wrong that we should be getting it next year because Italy and France are getting it this year. It would be better if we were getting it this year but evidently the measure had not been adverted to until last year's price fixing arrangements. Since then the western drainage scheme has begun to be implemented. At last week's Council meeting the cross-Border drainage scheme, with 50 per cent contribution from the EEC, was also agreed. I do not agree that there was any wasting of time on this. It happened that the French and Italians got in before us but it is worth considering that the south of Italy, for which the grants were made available is an extremely poor agricultural area.
Would the Minister agree that he is hanging on the coat tails of the French and Italians?
Is the Deputy making a political point?
I am, a very valid one.
It is not a very good one; it is irrelevant. I will take the Deputy on any time but not here and now.
I welcome the opportunity.