asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate his policy with regard to the production of honey and indicate the availability of markets for this product.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Honey Production.
23.
My Department have actively assisted the beekeeping industry for many years past and will continue to do so. As some 75 per cent of the honey used here has to be imported, there is clearly scope for a very substantial increase in domestic production.
Is it the Minister's intention to increase the grant-in-aid to the Federation of Beekeepers in order that a larger percentage of this market will be obtained and kept in the hands of Irish producers?
I do not think it can be said that increasing the aids already available will get desirable results. There is limited scope and only a limited number of people are prepared to undertake honey production no matter what the aids are. I would be prepared to consider any proposal that might come from the producers.
It is not sufficient for the Minister to say that he will consider proposals from the producers. Would the Minister agree that he and the Department should be pursuing actively greater production so that we will not have a further decline?
I have here a list of no fewer than four different aids, which shows there has been fair inducement up to the present. It has not got the results that the Deputy and I would like to see.
If the desired results are to be achieved greater emphasis should be put on the industry by the Minister.
You pay a certain price to achieve certain results and if the results do not come you do not go on paying an uneconomic price.
Is the Minister saying he is happy with the position?