Vol. 454 No. 6
30 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will elaborate on his recent announcement that he plans to withdraw grant aid from the meat industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11277/95]
I am examining every aspect of the fines which the Commission Services has proposed to levy on Ireland in respect of beef intervention in 1990 and 1991, with a view to minimising the amount of the fines and to avoiding the cost falling on the Exchequer. As part of that examination, I have asked my officials to discuss with Forbairt the position regarding grants, both national and EU, in the beef sector and these discussions are continuing. No grants have been paid for slaughtering for some years because of slaughtering overcapacity and Forbairt has recently decided to suspend grants for boning halls because capacity is now adequate.
I will inform the House of any major developments in relation to these matters in due course.
