asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if grants are still being paid to members of the NFA who have not paid their rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants to NFA Members.
6.
There has been no change as yet in the arrangements for paying grants in my Department.
What does the Minister mean by "as yet"?
Precisely what I have said.
We can all take different interpretations of that phrase.
Is the Minister aware that in another Department of State there has, in fact, been a change and that county managers have instructed their executives that before a grant is paid to anybody in their area, the record should be examined to see if rates have been paid? That is now being done for the first time.
County managers have a solemn obligation and duty to see that the normal services, hospitals, and so on, in their respective countries are properly financed.
Would the Minister not agree that some farmers have difficulty today in paying their rates because of the uncertainty of markets at present?
Are we to take the Minister's remarks as being a threat?
The Deputy may take the reply as meaning precisely what it says. The Deputy asked for certain information and I gave it to him.
If a farmer owes less in rates than is due to him in grants, what is the position?
That is a matter for the county manager.