asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will ensure that Government efforts in the field of agronomic research will be greatly increased.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agronomic Research.
6.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a comprehensive statement on possible greater investment by the Government in agricultural research in the future.
With your permission a Cheann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The Government fully recognise the importance of agricultural research, particularly in the current period of development and intensification in the industry, and intend to give it all necessary encouragement and support. As Deputies are, no doubt, aware, State expenditure in relation to agricultural research has increased rapidly in the past decade and accounts for a high proportion of total State expenditure in the research area.
Can the Minister say whether he is satisfied with the amount of money being spent by the Government on agricultural research, or whether he proposes to augment the amount being spent in this regard and, if so, how?
The level of agricultural research being carried out in this country is the envy of most European countries.
I accept that.
Of course, I would like to see even more research being carried out but the people who are deriving the benefit of this work should now begin to contribute towards it. I have asked the various sections to make contributions for this purpose and they have indicated that they are prepared to do so.
I understand that the Minister has requested that a principal of a £ for a £ be put up by commercial interests. If this is so, perhaps the Minister would tell us how he hopes this will work. Does he envisage, say, a levy on livestock or will the exporters of livestock——
The Deputy is broadening the subject matter of the question.
I am not sure that I am doing that.
If the Chair will allow me to comment, I would inform the Deputy that what we are asking is that the various sectors—milk, meat et cetera—contribute separately for the various separate projects.
Is the Minister satisfied at this stage that if semi-State bodies or commercial interests were contributing to agricultural research there would not be the possibility of undue influence being exercised in relation to the type of research to be carried out? When the Minister is in a position to make a full and detailed announcement in this regard I hope he will be able to dispel this fear.
This is the first expression of fear in this regard that I have heard.
Finally——
We must have some finality in this matter.
Can the Minister say when he is likely to be in a position to make a full and detailed statement of this proposal of a £ for a £?
I hope to be able to make a statement within the next couple of months.
Regarding the provision that will be made in the Estimate for the coming year for the Agricultural Institute would the Minister give an assurance that sufficient moneys will be provided to more than compensate for the decline in the value of money, in other words, if something will be provided for the extension or the intensification of the efforts of that institute? Can the Minister say whether there are any funds available from the European Agricultural Guidance Fund for this purpose?
From his periods of office both as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and as Minister for Finance the Deputy knows well that at this stage I cannot give the sort of assurance he is seeking.
In principle?
However, I am very hopeful.
One short question——
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude on this matter and he ought not to impose unfairly on the Chair having regard to the many questions on the Order Paper. There is a need to make some worthwhile progress and the Chair would like the co-operation of Deputies in this regard.
Would the Minister tell the House whether he has been in touch already with the livestock industry regarding a contribution from them and whether, also, he has been in touch with the people involved in the production of sheep and lambs and of pigs and poultry?
These are omnibus questions.
I have been in touch with the fresh meat exporters, with the farming organisations, with the pigs section and with the milk section.
The Minister has not replied to my supplementary concerning the European Agricultural Guidance Fund.
I am not aware there is any fund available.
Will the Minister explore it?
Yes.