asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the position with regard to the British proposals for deficiency payments as a means of providing farmers with a guaranteed minimum price for beef, as opposed to the intervention system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deficiency Payments.
126.
The British proposal sought the option of operating beef intervention below the general level fixed and making up the difference by payment of a premium varying with the market price. The agricultural price arrangements now made by the EEC Council of Ministers for 1975-76 enable the payment of such a premium in the UK and provide that the UK will pay the same premium on cattle and beef imports from Ireland.
What is the Government's attitude in the EEC towards this question of payments?
I am sure the Deputy has learned that the Council of Ministers concluded an agreement this morning and that a detailed statement will be forthcoming. The information at my disposal indicates that we should be exceptionally thankful to our team for the results they achieved under difficult circumstances.
I do not know what the team have done, but I would be the first to congratulate them if they have done well.
I hope it is right this time.
What I am asking about is the attitude of the Government to these payments which Britain has and which are contrary to EEC policy.
As will be indicated in the reply to the next question, we will participate in the benefit of these payments also, because that is embodied in the agreement which was made this morning. I shall read the answer to the next question, which will give some information.