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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1987

Vol. 376 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Farmers' Potato Co-operative.

12.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will agree to meet representatives of the Irish Farmers' Potato Co-operative in order to discuss (1) the payment of moneys due to the co-operative from his Department; (2) the future financing of the co-operative and (3) the steps which will be taken to overcome the serious problems encountered by the co-operative due to the withdrawal of Kinsealy Farms, County Dublin, from the marketing arrangements with the co-operative.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 86 on 28 October in which I indicated that the co-operative had already received £107,000 in aid from my Department. I explained that, as the co-operative had failed to meet the conditions prescribed for further aid, I had no option but to refuse such aid from public funds.

In the circumstances, a meeting with representatives of the co-operative would serve no useful purpose.

Since that question was put down, we have had a breakdown of the trade agreement, the marketing arrangement between the co-operative and Kinsealy Farms. This was their sole link with the marketing scene. Would the Minister, even at this late stage, reconditure sider the position of this co-operative? I am appealing to him because we have had a lot of talk from the Minister about producer groups. Here we have a producer group. Would he at least offer to meet them to see if anything could be done to salvage what was a very brave effort, which was doing reasonably well until the marketing arrangement, through no fault of theirs, fell through when Kinsealy Farms pulled out and left them high and dry? Surely, it would be right for the Minister to meet these people to see if some other arrangement could be made and if they could be adequately financed in the interim period.

It is only fair to point out that the Department were not privy to the particular arrangement the potato co-operative had with Kinsealy Farms. In 1984-85, they paid £107,000 but unfortunately the conditions laid down were that substantial progress would have to be made and that there would be significant non-Exchequer funding for the effort. Regrettably, on both counts, the arrangements have been less than satisfactory.

Forget about the money. Would the Minister at least show them the courtesy of meeting them early in the New Year to see if something could be done to keep in existence what was the first serious effort to get farmers into producer groups in potatoes?

I am obviously not in a position to tell Deputy Hegarty that I will be able to assist them.

I am not even asking that.

I have clearly outlined the financial support which has been forthcoming from the Exchequer for that effort. Unfortunately, that effort has been less than satisfactory. The income has also been less than satisfactory with less than 500 tons of potatoes sold through the co-operative.

We know why they were not successful. The plug was pulled. All I am asking, without commitment, is if the Minister would at least meet them, because having met them he might change his mind or talk to his Minister who might reconsider the matter.

It is the Christmas season, talk to them.

I am not in a position to give a commitment at this stage but I will consider the point Deputy Hegarty has made.

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