asked the Minister for Agriculture if the EEC disadvantaged area scheme will be extended this coming year to include areas like Terrellton, Macroom, Mount Rivers, Rylane, Kilcourney and other areas of mid-Cork which have been excluded to-date.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disadvantaged Area Scheme.
15.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will explain why the preelection promise to the farming community of the Slieve Felim area of County Tipperary to have the area included in the disadvantaged area scheme has not yet been fulfilled.
17.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the up-to-date position in relation to the extension of the disadvantaged area boundaries; and the reasons for the delay.
18.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the unsatisfactory arrangement that exists west of the river Shannon in relation to the boundaries of the disadvantaged areas; and if he will consider having the entire western area included in the disadvantaged areas scheme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 18, inclusive, together.
The Government's proposals for a review of the boundaries of the disadvantaged areas were submitted to the EEC Commission in February last year and since then they have been the subject of considerable discussion between officials of the Commission and of my Department. As Deputies are aware, the areas scheduled as disadvantaged cannot be extended without the concurrence of the EEC Council and Commission. The Council, in June last, amended the relevant directive so as to permit of certain limited extensions being made in the total agricultural area of member states which can be classified as disadvantaged. It is still necessary, however, for the Government's proposed changes on our boundaries to be decided by an EEC Commission procedure involving the Standing Committee on Agricultural Structures This committee is due to begin its deliberations on this issue shortly. It would not be appropriate, pending a decision being taken at Community level on the Government's proposals as a whole, to comment upon the position of individual areas.
Did I understand the Minister to say that these proposals have been with the Commission since February last year?
That is correct.
Would the Minister not think it is time they got to work on them?
They have done a lot of work on them and we are pressing them for a decision as soon as possible.
Surely the Minister is aware that boundaries of the disadvantaged areas, particularly in the western region and in that which the Minister of State represents, are causing inconvenience and are the subject of much discussion and dissatisfaction amongst farmers in general? As a Minister of State representing that area the Minister must be in some position to make proposals to Brussels with a view to having that situation changed.
I accept that concern has been expressed from time to time by people living in disadvantaged areas in the west. It was for that reason that during the general election campaign of 1977 we undertook to carry out a review of the disadvantaged areas. We did that immediately we got back into office. The review has taken place, we have submitted our proposals to Brussels and we are awaiting a decision by the Commission.
It will be the next general election before we get an answer.
I must say to the Deputy that we took action on the extension of the disadvantaged areas which was more than the Coalition did when they were in power.
Fianna Fáil did not.
I wish to deal specifically with Question No. 16 which is in my name. Is the Minister aware of the promise the present Minister for Finance gave the small farmers of North Tipperary, particularly the Slieve Felim area, that if Fianna Fáil were returned to power he would ensure that the Slieve Felim area would be included in the disadvantaged areas scheme, that he is quoted as saying that in the Tipperary Star, that he never denied it — that was three and a half years ago — and surely by this time some attempt should have been made to have this area included in the disadvantaged areas scheme? Perhaps north Tipperary will assume eminence again with the pending by-election, if rumours are correct, and again farmers in the Slieve Felim area will be promised that they will be included. Would the Minister give me the up-to-date position as regards the farmers in that area?
Are there application forms for that area, to make application for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas?
One question at a time, Deputy.
They do not have to do that, Deputy, because we do that for them.
I am aware of the position in the Slieve Felim area because I met the committee from that area twice already in the presence of the Minister for Finance and the former Minister for Agriculture. Deputy Gibbons. There was no commitment given to the committee in the Slieve Felim area that their area would be included in the severely handicapped areas.
I beg to differ with the Minister.
What they were given——
The present Minister for Finance gave a solemn undertaking that they would be included.
I am entitled to answer the question. What they were told was that their area would be reviewed and submitted to Brussels. That commitment has been carried out.
I want to get back to the general question before Deputy Griffin gets back to Slieve Felim. Does the Minister not consider it to be outrageous that there should have been a delay originally of one and a half years in assembling and putting together the application and a delay of a further two years during which, apparently, the Minister has been sitting back waiting for Brussels to bestir themselves?
It is wrong that there should be such a long delay in arriving at a decision. The delay is not the responsibility of our Department or our Government. We have submitted our proposals to Brussels and a lot of discussion has taken place between the structures committee and the Department officials in the meantime. We are hoping that any little problems which might have been there will be resolved soon and we shall be expecting a decision in the very near future. I cannot be any more specific than that.
The point I wish to get across to the Minister is that surely after three and a half years some decision should have been taken and their case should, at this stage, be concluded or is it an ongoing thing for a forthcoming by-election or general election again? The farmers of Slieve Felim want an answer. They want to know exactly where they stand.
Is the Minister aware that the previous Government refused to submit this area for consideration by Brussels? Is he aware also that, to make matters worse. Deputy Griffin and the then Minister for the Gaeltacht, Deputy O'Donnell, misled, misinformed and told lies to the committee in question?
Oh. On a point of order——
I have proof of that.
On a point of order, that should be withdrawn.
The Deputy should not use the word "misled".
The Deputy said that Deputy O'Donnell is a liar. On a point of order——
He said he had "misinformed".
The Chair hears what he wants to hear.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Deputy Herbert clearly said that Deputy Griffin and Deputy O'Donnell told lies. Clearly.
I said that I heard "misled".
(Cavan-Monaghan): Lies, he said
I have documentary evidence to prove this.
This is not a debate.
To prove that this misinformation was given to the committee.
It is misinformation now.
(Interruptions.)
A question, please.
This is not a Fianna Fáil Party meeting. This is the Dáil. Arising out of what has been said——
Deputy Taylor, please.
——about misleading and misinforming and lies, I would like Deputy Herbert to withdraw his remarks.
Deputy Taylor, please.
Could I ask the Minister if he and his officials would renew the representations to Brussels because fears have been expressed by the IFA and by Deputies in many counties about this matter. Dr. Atwood was down in Clare about two years ago and recently the Minister of State and the Minister for Defence and I were called in by the IFA.
A question, please.
They ask for a renewal of the representations to Brussels with a view to an immediate decision. The people in these disadvantaged areas are now at a severe loss and are not enjoying the benefits available to those who are included in the disadvantaged areas. These people presented very well got together brochures and information to Dr. Atwood and to Brussels to be included in the disadvantaged areas.
In reply to Deputy Herbert, I am aware that the Coalition Government refused to carry out any further review of the disadvantaged areas. In reply to Deputy Taylor, I can assure him that every effort will be made to get a decision on this very important matter at the very earliest possible opportunity.
A final question. We have had numerous supplementary questions on this subject.
In view of the extensive promises made in the last general election campaign by his party about this matter, does the Minister expect that we shall see an actual decision on the matter before the next general election?
I can guarantee Deputy Bruton that any promises made during the last general election campaign will be fulfilled.
Fairy tales.
Donegal decided that.
Order, please.