asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the proposals he has to ensure that all farmers keep accounts in order that they may help his Department in assessing farm incomes and in the study of farm economy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Accounts.
16.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of 10th July, 1973, on this subject to which I have nothing to add.
Since 17th July we have had a Government White Paper with regard to capital gains taxes, wealth taxes and so on. Surely there must be some way of implementing these if the White Paper is to become law.
The Minister and his Department are anxious that all farmers should keep accounts. This The EEC is also anxious that all farmers should keep accounts. This will come about not by compulsion but by asking the farmers to co-operate with the Department.
And they will not get grants if they do not co-operate.
There are certain premiums. There is one set here payable from EEC funds over a period of two years. It will be available only through the Department and, in case farmers may think other Departments, such as Revenue, may be involved in this, let me say at once that they will not.
It will only be available on certain terms from the EEC. All grants are from that. That is the position and——
The Deputy is not asking a question.
If farmers do not keep accounts that is their own business.
Surely only one of the three sections of farmers will benefit if what the Parliamentary Secretary says is true. In view of the fact that our people are paying 75 per cent of the cost of this scheme I do not think the Government and the Minister are right in excluding large sections of the farming community——
This is a very long question and the Chair is anxious to make some progress.
——and I protest strongly against that.
The Deputy's imagination is running away with him.
The Parliamentary Secretary is running away from the farmers.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how they will assess the value of farms?
It is hoped that farmers will, in future, like any other business people, keep accounts.
I hope the wealth tax will not apply.