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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 May 1975

Vol. 280 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Incomes.

33.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the statement in the Central Bank Annual Report, 1975, that farm incomes in 1974 fell by almost one quarter in real terms, he will indicate the action he proposes to take to correct the situation.

The decisions taken by the EEC Council of Ministers in October, 1974 and February, 1975, including revision of the reference rate for the Irish £ have had a major impact on Irish farm prices in 1975. These will be substantially higher this year than those of last year. The Deputy will have noted the Central Bank forecast that income arising in agriculture in 1975 should be about 40 per cent higher than in 1974.

Might I ask the Minister if he could give an estimate of the increase in farm incomes on the year 1973 that is estimated for the coming year?

That seems to be a separate question.

I could not reply to that. I think the Deputy knows that, in real terms, incomes were down by approximately 25 per cent according to the same bank report in 1973. If they are up 40 per cent on last year, I suppose it means an increase of 15 per cent on 1973.

No, because you are operating on a different basis in each case.

Well, I am not a statistician.

Nevertheless, I should like to get the sum done.

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