asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the restrictive nature of the scheme for farm buildings and fixed equipment under the orientation of agricultural production scheme programme for western development, he will seek to have it amended without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Western Development.
9.
A review of the programme for western development is due to be carried out next year by the EEC Commission and I have arranged for an internal review of all aspects of the programme to be carried out in advance of the Commission review. In this review special attention will be devoted to the orientation of agricultural production element and particularly to the changes that would be needed to make it more fully effective.
In view of the threat to further development by milk producers, will the Minister ensure that milk producers will not be denied building grants for livestock? Due to its restricted nature and the income and production limits imposed, this scheme has been a complete dead loss and is in need of urgent review.
I am aware that the scheme in its present form is extremely restrictive and confined only to beef and sheep. Before we can take any definite line we will have to await the outcome of negotiations which are in progress. I hope they will be concluded within the next couple of weeks.