asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the Government have taken, during the period of the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development, any measures to ensure greater stability in the potato market; and if he will indicate his future plans in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Market.
26.
Because of problems of practicability and cost the introduction of special measures as referred to in the Deputy's question has not been found possible. The matter will be kept under review.
Why was it considered necessary to introduce measures to bring about greater stability in the potato market when the Third Programme was introduced and what new factors have arisen to make the Department realise that what was Government policy at the time of the last election, is, four years later, impractical?
The Deputy is leaving out of his reckoning events of the intervening period and the entirely new circumstances of the era we are entering. He is leaving out also the practical difficulties, which are very formidable and which have not been overcome by any of the member countries of the EEC in the matter of the introduction of a common policy in respect of the regulations of the potato market. All these circumstances combined have militated against the evolution of any particular method by which what would amount to the introduction of national intervention in the matter of the marketing of potatoes could be implemented. The circumstances obtaining then obtain no longer, as the Deputy knows well.
Which circumstances have changed?
In order to operate any system of national intervention agency it would be necessary to violate EEC regulations.
There is no common policy in respect of potatoes.
That is so.
Do I understand from the Minister that his Department control the marketing of potatoes rather than the Potato Marketing Board.
There is no effective control over the marketing of potatoes, as the Deputy knows very well.
There is a form of supervision.
The Potato Marketing Board deal mainly with the sale of certified seed potatoes to third countries outside the EEC. Deputy Bruton is referring mainly to the potato crop. The marketing of potatoes has presented to every EEC country difficulties that seem insurmountable.