asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason he was not present at the Council of Agricultural Ministers on 16th November 1981 to support the Irish glasshouse industry in its fight against the gas prices charged by the Dutch Government which are causing such damage in the Irish horticultural industry; and the reason no protest was registered by the Irish delegation when the matter was discussed.
Written Answers. - Horticultural Industry.
255.
Action in relation to the price charged for natural gas to the horticultural industry in the Netherlands is a matter for the EEC Commission which has been keeping the Council informed of developments. Ireland's opposition to the pricing arrangements in operation and the need for early removal of the existing price differential has been made clear in discussions at earlier meetings of the Council of Agricultural Ministers and the Commission is well aware of our attitude.
I might add that during the afternoon of 16 November I was attending a separate Council meeting of EEC Foreign Ministers at which the agricultural aspects of the 30 May Mandate Report were being discussed. This report has major implications for the operation and future of the common agricultural policy, in which Ireland has such a vital interest.