asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is proposed to refund to the dairy farmers in the creamery areas the sum of approximately £100,000 which had been collected during the period from the imposition of the levy to the coming into force of the increase of one penny per gallon on milk delivered to creameries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refund of Milk Levy Payments.
14.
As has already been announced the increase in the price of milk will take effect from 1st June.
Did the Minister indicate that he will not pay the levy in the interim period referred to in the Question? He will not refund the levy?
It is a statutory function of Bord Bainne to strike a levy the equivalent of one-third of the expected losses that may arise in the sale or disposal of dairy products in outside markets. In striking a levy, the Board were merely discharging a responsibility which was placed upon them by this House. A review of milk prices can be made by the Government at any time, but, in any such review which may lead to an increase in prices, the Government must have regard to the difficulties which may arise from any such action in the disposal of the dairy products both in the home and foreign markets. That is the position.
Is the Minister aware that yesterday we passed the Second Stage of a Finance Bill placing a tax of 1d. on a packet of 20 cigarettes, on the representation of the Minister for Finance that this money was required to recoup to the dairy farmers the 1d. that had been levied on creamery milk? In the light of that fact, is it intended to recoup them or do the Government propose to do away with £100,000 of their money?
I have no knowledge of what the Minister said because I was not present.
You are a member of the Government.
What I am aware of is that we in this House placed upon the board in question a statutory obligation to strike a levy for the purpose which I have stated, that purpose being the disposal of dairy products in the outside markets. That responsibility cannot be allied in any shape or form with price. As I have said in my supplementary reply, the Government can review and the Government have reviewed the price to be paid to milk suppliers, and decided that as on and from 1st June, the price should be increased by 1d.
Does that not represent, in fact, a confidence trick on this House and the dairy farmers who were given to understand that the purpose of the tax brought in yesterday, as stated by the Minister for Finance, was to find funds wherewith to recoup the dairy farmers the 1d. which had been levied upon them——
The Deputy should read what I said before he says any more.
Is that not what the Minister said yesterday? I was sitting here and heard him. That is what the House believed and that is what the people believe. Are we now to embark on a glorious enterprise— having first tried to take £1,000,000 and being forced to concede that that was unjust—of trying to embezzle £100,000 of their money?
The reason for the imposition referred to by the Deputy was not to take the risks to which I have referred of increasing the price of milk and allowing the price of butter to increase to meet the amount required. It was because of the effects which such action on the part of the Government would have had at home and abroad that the decision was made that the taxpayer should be called upon to meet the cost arising out of the decision arrived at by the Government.
It is a mean thing to take away the £100,000.
This is clearly a debate, not question and answer.
If I may ask a question——
Elucidation will not arise from this debate.
You did not do it to any other section of the community.
I am delighted to see Deputy Dillon becoming so enthusiastic and so vicious about the milk producers. I am charmed to the heart. It is not from the bob a gallon we will take it.
(Interruptions.)
Silly Fianna Fáil falsehoods. It was a mean thing to take away the £100,000.
Order! Question No. 15.
You would not do it to the civic guards or the Civil Service.
Or the judges.
Or the judges.
What about your shilling a gallon?
Do not be a fraud. You are not fit for your job and you know it.
You are sick listening to that one shilling, are you not? You will continue to hear it.
I have called Question No. 15.
(Interruptions.)
It is a bad thing to mislead the country.
Will Deputy Flanagan allow business to proceed and stop interrupting? He should know there is a remedy for disorder, and a drastic one.
May I reply to the next Question?
You may.