asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will renegotiate with the EC the remaining 1.5 per cent devaluation deficit.
Written Answers. - Irish Green Pound Devaluation.
156.
During the recent price-fixing negotiations the Commission proposed a 1.98 per cent devaluation of the Irish green pound for animal products and 1 per cent for other products. Following strong pressure, I succeeded in achieving the maximum 3 per cent green pound devaluation for animal products and 1.5 per cent for the others. The 3 per cent rate applies to products which account for about 80 per cent of our gross agricultural output, while products subject to the lower adjustment account for less than 7 per cent. The arrangements made provide for the elimination of all MCA charges in our case and I regard this as a satisfactory outcome.