asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the full increase in beef deficiency payments of 15/- per cwt. recently given by the UK Government has not been granted to Irish farmers under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Deficiency Payments.
25.
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to a question on this subject on 15th April.
Would the Minister be kind enough to let me know what the reply was?
I do not know if I have it here.
Surely the Minister looked it up?
I am referring back to less than a month ago, when the same question was answered, and I am sure that, with the usual efficiency of the notetakers, it has been fully transcribed and inserted in the records which are available to everybody.
All I want to know from the Minister is whether or not he is getting the 15/-. It should be a simple answer.
Surely the Minister examined the file when the question was tabled? That is what every efficient Minister does.
The Deputy would know; he is a good judge of that.
Yes, I am.
Can the Minister give the information now?
I have referred the Deputy to the records.
The Minister cannot give the information.
This is treating, Dáil Éireann with contempt.
I do not intend to waste the time of the House answering questions when the answers are already on the records of the House.
Since the Minister will not give the answer, may I give it? He is getting 10/-. Can the Minister tell me where the other 5/-is going?