Vol. 407 No. 3
16 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the national funds and FEOGA grants which were provided to build and equip the Ballybay Meats Plant; the amount of these moneys which have been recovered since the closure of the factory.
FEOGA grants amounting to £2.1 million were provided to build and equip Ballybay Meats. National grants of £0.837 million were paid by the IDA. I understand that so far none of these moneys has been recovered. The receiver is endeavouring to sell the Ballybay plant as a going concern and this would, of course, ensure that the best return for the public investment was secured as well as protecting long-term employment in the area.
Pending the outcome of current investigations into the affairs of the company, my Department are holding substantial securities and withholding some amounts claimed by the company in respect of export refunds.
The Commission of the European Communities has been kept informed of developments to date.
I presume the figure of £0.837 million which the Minister referred to is in addition to the £10 million which is owed to creditors of the company concerned? The sum of £2.1 million represents FEOGA grants and the sum of £0.837 million represents grants from the IDA.
That is right.
I understand there are also considerable moneys outstanding to Fóir Teoranta. In his reply the Minister said the best interests of the public and the taxpayer were being borne in mind by the Government when the disposal of the assets was being taken into consideration. I understand the receiver values the factory at £6 million. Nevertheless, he is offering it for sale for £1.4 million and he cannot get that money. Obviously this means that the "Today Tonight" programme on Thursday last was correct in stating quite clearly that there is gangsterism, all sorts of intimidation and we must suspect there is a political cover up in this case. Have the Minister and the Government any intention of seeing that the whole unsavoury episode is brought to a proper conclusion, that the full market value of the plant is obtained, that the plant is put back into production and that these people do not get away with this downright flouting and breaking of the law?
In the first instance, I want to totally reject the implication or suspicion — that mean fashion that is an old practice among those who do not have facts Deputy Deasy has used — that there is a political cover-up in this case. I want to tell the House——
The man is a Fianna Fáil political activist.
The Deputy should listen to me now.
We have the people on the ground.
Questions have been asked, let us hear the Minister.
That is an unwarranted and outrageous suggestion. The Deputy did not have courage, he would only hint. There is no basis whatsoever for that outrageous allegation. Very detailed investigations are being conducted in four countries. Furthermore, my Department and customs officials have been co-operating very actively to ensure that the fullest detail emerges so that such information as the police need for any action that is required will be available to them. Let me also say that such powers as I have as Minister for Agriculture and Food in regard to the issue of licences, if it should come to that point, will certainly be very seriously considered by me before I make a decision as to who or what group should operate such a licence. Let me assure Deputy Deasy, if he needs to be assured — I think the public are satisfied but Deputy Deasy is not — about the Government's role and my role about which he made outrageous implications. There is no question but that they are unfounded. I do not know what the practices may have been during the Deputy's time as Minister but I know what they are in my time.
They were above board.
Deputy Deasy, a brief question. There are other priority question to be dealt with.
They are all mine and I will deal with them as I wish.
Even so, the Chair has a special obligation to ensure that they are all dealt with.
There was no malpractice during my period as Minister for Agriculture. The records are there and the Minister can examine them. I do not think the general public are satisfied, as the Minister stated, that there is no malpractice in this case.
I am talking about the Government's conduct and what the Deputy alleged.
This whole matter is seething with innuendo.
Is the Deputy prepared to withdraw the outrageous allegation?
No, I am not. The man——
The Deputy is not fit to be a man.
——is well known to be a Fianna Fáil political activist. The Minister did not answer the question as to why the plant is being offered for sale for £1.4 million when its market value is well known to be £6 million. Could the Minister also tell us what the substantial securities and the export refunds to which he referred amount to?
In reply to the latter part of the question, the Deputy will recall from his experience as Minister for Agriculture and Food that it was never the practice in his time or in anyone's time as Minister for Agriculture and Food to give details of the specific amounts held as securities. I thought he would have been aware of that before he asked me to break from that practice to which he adhered. As I have indicated, the securities are substantial. As regards the position in relation to the value of the plant, as the Deputy must also be aware that is a matter exclusively for the receiver. It is not a matter for the Minister or any Minister to decide the value of property. The Minister can only act on his responsibility, and I want to assure the Deputy I will act on mine.
When is the Minister going to have the picketers removed so that the plant can be sold?
No. 17, the same Deputy.
Could I ask——
Order, the next question.
Are the premises not being greatly devalued because of the intimidation——
I have called the next question and that question will be responded to now.
Of course they are being devalued.
Intimidation.
It is an organised racket, and the Minister is not being very helpful.
Please, Deputy Deasy.
Whatever observations the Deputy has to make about conduct he should not try to attach them to us when our standards are absolutely impeccable.
The taxpayers will have to pay £12 million or £14 million.
The Minister should speak to his colleague in the constituency.
