I am very pleased to have the opportunity to discuss this issue and I thank the Minister and the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to do so. When the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan is sent in to reply to an agriculture debate it usually means bad news, but he is a good, solid man who is able to deliver it. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, who is in hiding, has refused to give important information on issues of serious concern. The questions I raised relate to quantities of output by meat and bonemeal plants — Questions Nos. 267 and 268 of 3 December 1996 — the building of a facility to deal with slaughterhouse waste — Question No. 253 of 3 December 1996 — the proposals made by the Minister for reform of the headage payment system — Question No.274 of 3 December 1996 — and transport arrangements for the transport of live animals — Questions Nos. 257 and 258 of 3 December 1996. The Minister's refusal to disclose vital information on a number of key issues threatens to undermine public confidence. Having famously said too much on a previous occasion, his new strategy is to sing dumb. The Minister has apparently taken a vow of oral rectitude.
I repeatedly asked the Minister to disclose the amounts of meat and bonemeal produced by the nine operating plants. Although he has the information and concedes that no law or agreement precludes him from disclosing it, he will not give the figures sought. It is the Minister's opinion that meat and bonemeal fed since the 1990 ban is a cause of BSE. I was told yesterday that it is legal to feed meat and bonemeal for white meat. How are activities monitored on a farm that produces white meat and cattle? Does the Minister consider it possible that meat and bonemeal held on a farm where cattle are reared could be fed to the cattle? I note the Minister of State's disinterest in this issue. How much meat and bonemeal has been produced and where did it go? What is the Minister covering up and why? His arrogance in arrogating to himself information which the public has an unequivocal right to know shows contempt for consumer rights. The culture of secrecy at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is in no danger as long as Deputy Yates is Minister.
This is not the only issue on which Minister Yates has clammed up. Regarding a report drawn up for the Government on the viability of a national incinerator to deal with diseased herds, the Minister stated it was "not anticipated" that the report would be published. The building of a national incinerator is an important issue. That report should be made public and there must be a public debate on it.
On the important question of reform of the headage payments system, the Minister has repeatedly refused to disclose his proposals. This issue is at the core of the future of farm incomes. Elderly farmers are particularly concerned about speculation that headage payments will be withheld from those over the age of 65. It is extraordinary that the future livelihoods of 160,000 farm families are being negotiated in secret behind their backs. What exactly is Minister Yates hiding?
The Minister's belated reticence also extends to the export of live animals. The regulations he introduced for the transport of livestock have severely affected the trade. The number of boats in operation has more than halved. When asked to disclose the true position the Minister again refused. His refusal to disclose the names of recipients of licences under the new regulations is a farce. The issuing of licences is a public matter and must be fully transparent.
Following the BSE and antibiotic residue débâcles the Minister promised to ensure openness in his Department. He promised that information would be given to the public as soon as it was available to him. It is now apparent that nothing has changed. The same discredited culture of secrecy and arrogance is being operated by Minister Yates. His continuing failure to face down vested interests and deal with issues openly risks a repeat of the crisis that has almost wrecked the farming and food industries.
