asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state in the case of a firm (name supplied) whether it received any State moneys by way of (a) loan or grant when it was set up and (b) annual subsidy; if so, the amount in each case and the conditions on which the moneys were allocated; if this firm receives any tax concessions; and, if so, what they are.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Aid to Firm.
3.
The agricultural cooperative society referred to by the Deputy has not received any loan or grant direct from my Department, nor is any annual State subsidy paid to the society.
I am aware that the society received a loan from the Agricultural Credit Corporation, Limited, but the relevant legislation precludes disclosure of the affairs of individual borrowers.
The annual report of An Foras Tionscal for the year ended 31st March, 1966, indicates that a grant of £35,325 to the society had been approved by An Foras, of which £25,000 had been paid by the end of that year.
The question of any tax concessions is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
Could the Minister state if there are any conditions as to the type of transaction this firm carry on? Are there no conditions laid down?
Conditions under what heading?
As to whether it is native or foreign goods they are handling?
In what connection does the Deputy suggest that conditions would be laid down? By what body would conditions be laid down?
I was wondering if it was any condition of their getting the money that they handle only native products.
I do not think any such condition would be involved in the loan from the Agricultural Credit Corporation and I doubt if any such condition would be attached to a grant from An Foras Tionscal.
Is it the Agricultural Credit Corporation that would state whether there are any conditions or not?
Yes.