Vol. 381 No. 1
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in view of serious pollution problems requiring immediate action, if he will confirm that the provisions of the revised Western Package will apply henceforth in order that work can commence immediately.
14.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when details of the Western Package will be announced; if it is his intention to allow the maximum rate of grant aid for pollution prevention in farms already grant-aided under the previous scheme; and in view of the recent action taken by the Government task force on pollution, if he will allow farmers a three year period for redesigning their farm yards.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 14 together.
Under the revised Western Package it is intended to offer attractive rates of grant for the control of pollution on farms in the disadvantaged areas. Before this scheme can be introduced it must be approved by the EC Commission as part of the overall programme for implementing the package. The programme has been forwarded to Brussels. I am pressing for a very early decision. I will make an announcement in the matter at the earliest possible date.
Even before our formal submission of the programme there have been continuing discussions with the Commission to ensure that there will be no undue delay in securing the necessary approval.
In negotiating with the EC following the review of the package I was particularly anxious to obtain changes in the scheme which would reflect the demand for pollution controls and which would be based on the real current needs of farmers in the disadvantaged areas.
What rate of grant is the Minister proposing be given in respect of anti-pollution measures under the revised Western Package? Does he not think that the point I raised in my question is a worthy one and would considerably help the anti-pollution drive in the country if he would indicate — irrespective of the time it will take to have the package put in place — that work started now should be allowed under the provisions of the revised Western Package when the appropriate regulation is implemented?
The answer to the Deputy's first question is that I have applied for the maximum rate of grant. That is exactly what the Commission are now considering in regard to my application. I cannot anticipate just now——
Is that 70 per cent?
Under the particular regulation it is not 70 per cent.
I will have to read the regulation.
I do not want to anticipate what the Commission may do. This question is being asked while the matter is being considered by them. Second, because of the urgency involved, which I accept, I have discussed this myself with Vice-President Andriessen and have arranged for officials from the Commission to come to my Department — they have been there all last week — to extract this particular part of a very comprehensive Western Package to afford it special priority. I would hope it will be possible to move ahead on this even before the rest of the Western Package. I cannot anticipate what will be the decision of the Commission or when that decision will be given, but I have put it to them as a matter of extreme urgency.
If the Minister is now proposing to take this part of the regulation and give it absolute priority from the point of view of putting it in place — an approach with which I totally agree — could he give us a reasonable estimate now, within a matter of weeks, of when that portion would be in place? Second, would he not think it would be a sensible approach to adopt my proposal and indicate to this House now that whoever begins anti-pollution work after today will not be excluded from the terms of the revised Western Package when it is put in place?
One of the special features of this package, which I negotiated only six weeks to two months ago, is that we will be getting up to 70 per cent recoupment of the costs from the EC. In view of the fact that they will be paying 70 per cent of those costs they feel entitled to be consulted at least as to the implementation of the scheme. Obviously, in advance of that sanction I cannot say that I am now proposing, irrespective of the opinion of the Commission, to implement it on the following terms. On the other hand, I can say to the Deputy that I have conveyed to the Commission, the Vice-President, senior officials and those at every level, that this matter is extremely urgent for us. I would hope a decision would be forthcoming within weeks, at most. The Deputy will know that in regard to European negotiations were I to announce now, irrespective of what the Commission may say, that the grant element will be X and two weeks later the Commission were to tell us the grant element will be Y, that would not be a satisfactory way to operate.
Silage is being cut at present.
Would the Minister say whether applicants who have benefited already under the provisions of the previous scheme will qualify under the provisions of the new scheme proposed? In view of the huge financial burden on farmers in controlling pollution in their farmyards would the Minister consider allowing them a three-year interim redesigning period in which to bring their farms up to the requisite standard, particularly as many of them are already encountering financial problems?
It is because of the importance I attach to this that, uniquely, I got consent — I might add that I am the only Minister and we the only country in Europe to have got such consent — to this package and support for this kind of programme. I agree with what the Deputy has said. I am endeavouring to have it introduced as flexibly as possible. I do not want to go one step further at this point. I want to ensure that almost every farmer in disadvantaged areas, which now comprise 62 per cent of the country, will be able to avail of this package as quickly as possible. It would be my hope, by way of the flexible approach of the Commission to my request, shortly to be able to give the signal to go ahead. It cannot come a day too soon as far as I am concerned.
Is the Minister aware of the dilemma of many farmers who, having meticulously carried out farm development works on the specific advice and direction of his Department, now find themselves being prosecuted by local authorities for pollution arising out of those same works? What financial assistance can the Minister give such farmers?
I am aware of the problems arising there. We are all concerned about water pollution. We want to protect water supplies in our towns and protect our environment generally. I have to say that the farm organisations have been very helpful in this regard. It is because of the dilemma in which the farmers mentioned by the Deputy find themselves that I have stressed that very point to the Commission also. I hope we can demonstrate good judgement and understanding in respect of those people who are wanting to start and who have not, as yet, received sanction to go ahead.
I am calling Question No. 7.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I hesitate to prevent Deputies from intervening but they will appreciate that I have allowed a lot of latitude on this question.
It is a very important question.
All the questions on the Order Paper are important and there are Deputies here awaiting answers to their questions.
The Minister does not seem to be aware of the problem.
I have been indicating my intention to intervene for some time.
I am sorry, I did not see the Deputy offering.
Would the Minister agree that it is important that the maximum amount of money from the revised Western Package be devoted to pollution control measures, given that it is the greatest problem facing us at present? Furthermore, would he agree that, following the survey carried out, his Department might afford priority to the provision of underground storage tanks and so on?
I agree entirely with what Deputy J. Leonard has said. To demonstrate the measure of importance I attach to it, I should say that the amount of money involved on this aspect of the Western Package, taking 1987 and 1988 together, is 2.8 million ECUs. I have provided in 1989 for 15 million ECUs and in 1990 for 17.4 million ECUs. Those increased figures alone give the lie to what Deputy Carey is suggesting. I do not mind argument, but when argument flies in the face of fact it is unreal. Never has there been such an increase.
There will be nothing implemented in 1988; it is too late.
Had the Deputy shown the same interest over the last five years he is now showing it might have begun long ago.
