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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 7

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Questions. - Beef Slaughter Premium.

Frank Crowley

Question:

14 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the conditions required to ensure that Ireland qualifies for a beef slaughter premium in 1995 will be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

35 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the conditions required to ensure that Ireland qualifies for a beef slaughter premium in 1995 will be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Avril Doyle

Question:

50 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the conditions required to ensure that Ireland qualifies for a beef slaughter premium in 1995 will be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Phil Hogan

Question:

55 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the conditions required to ensure that Ireland qualifies for a beef slaughter premium in 1995 will be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 35, 50 and 55 together.

The spring slaughter or deseasonalisation premium will be payable in Ireland in 1995 if steer slaughterings in the period 1 September to 30 November 1993 exceed 40 per cent of total steer slaughterings for the year. The position is that the level of slaughterings in the September to November 1993 period should ensure the payment of the premium in 1995. This will not, of course, be confirmed until the figure for slaughterings in the full year is known.

In the event of there being a premium, will the Minister give a guarantee that it will be paid promptly, bearing in mind that such a premium would fall to be paid in June and that a large proportion of the premiums which should have been paid in June and July this year have not yet been paid? I ask the Minister to exert himself to ensure that a slaughter premium of that type will be a permanent feature of the EC beef system.

I gave the House an assurance that on the basis of information available to the Department at present, there will be a continuation of the scheme in 1995. I do not want to bore the House with the statistics I have on file, which confirm there will be such a scheme. Deputy Dukes, being an opportunist, asked a question that is not relevant to the questions tabled.

My question is perfectly relevant.

However, I am prepared to answer his question.

On a point of order, I will not have the Minister tell me my question is not relevant and then be so indulgent as to answer it. My question is perfectly relevant. I want to know if there will be a slaughter premium scheme next year. The slaughter premium, if it is payable, is part of that scheme and should be payable promptly. We should not have the same type of fiascos as we had previously.

Deputy Dukes, please allow the Minister to answer your question.

The Minister should stick to his business and answer the question without making smart alec remarks which do not put butter on the table for anybody.

Deputy Dukes should not lose his cool. I am answering his question in a cool, calm and collected way.

I would like to know if the Minister will give out the money in a cool, calm and collected way.

The Deputy asked if there will be a continuation of the scheme. On the basis of available information, there will be a continuation. In response to the other part of the Deputy's question which is perhaps indirectly relevant to the questions tabled——

It is directly relevant. The Minister should read the last sentence of his reply.

The Minister without interruption.

The Minister is long enough in the House not to play the old soldier with me.

In accordance to my answer to the second question taken in the House, we are positively committed to ensuring the payment of these grants as quickly as possible.

Will they be paid in June?

We are endeavouring to perfect the system towards that end.

When will the premiums be paid? To say premiums will be paid during the year 1995 is not good enough. People who held on to their cattle last year and did not opt for the slaughter premium got an increase in price that was greater than the premium. They received their premium payment at the time of the increase. They received payment in respect of other stock in June and many have not received payment yet because of technicalities. I know of a person who had cards returned on the basis of a technicality for another scheme. He submitted his cards in June but they were returned to him recently when he had expected to receive a cheque. These matters are all relevant. They are part and parcel of the MacSharry give away of intervention guarantees. These premiums replace those guarantees. Farmers are entitled to know when their premiums will be paid. Will they be paid in June, November or at a future date?

If ever.

I accept there are technical difficulties in relation to the processing of the large number of applications dealt with in the Department. We want to ensure that these payments are made as quickly as possible. I indicated to the House already that the level of payments at present, which I accept is no consolation to farmers who have not received their grant payments, far exceeds the level of payments in 1992.

The rules were changed.

I am not saying we are satisfied. We will not be satisfied until the farmers receive payments to which they are entitled.

Welcome to the club.

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