andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Agriculture the extent of the infrastructural changes proposed for Western Ireland under EEC aid; and when he expects the commencement of projects under such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West of Ireland Infrastructural Proposals.
26.
Following the initiative taken by me during the price-fixing negotiations last year, the EEC Commission has prepared a comprehensive package of aids, aimed at promoting the development of agriculture in the West of Ireland and at tackling the structural problems at present inhibiting growth there. The measures provide for the improvement of agricultural infrastructures in the area of piped water supplies, rural electrification and farm roads as well as aids for land improvement and division of commonages. They also cover investment aids for on-farm improvements, education and advisory services, grants for the agricultural processing and marketing sector and incentives for promoting afforestation on lands not suitable for agricultural production. Fuller details of the measures were given in the statement issued by me on 15 March.
The Commission's proposals have recently been presented to the EEC Council of Ministers and it is my objective to have them considered quickly so that they can be introduced at the earliest possible date.
Is the Minister satisfied with the Commission's proposals, or will he be suggesting improvements in the course of the Council of Ministers' consideration of them?
The package is a highly satisfactory one especially when one considers that it must be taken in conjunction with the drainage package of last year. Taken together they should mark a really significant improvement in agriculture in the west. In my opinion they will do a great deal for the uplifting of living standards generally in the west. For those reasons it would be ungracious to embark on a programme on nit-picking on the scheme. It is an excellent scheme. Certainly, we will have recommendations to make to the Commission and to the Council.
Has the Minister encountered any difficulties in regard to applying any of these moneys he hopes to get? It would seem that there have been difficulties experienced in the recent past in usefully applying the moneys the Minister got.
I am not aware that we may expect untoward difficulties of the kind mentioned by the Deputy.
May I ask the Minister in particular in relation to the matter concerning the division of commonages, will amending legislation be necessary to allow EEC aid to take effect in view of the unanimity rule which obtains at present in relation to the division of commonages?
We cannot have questions on every aspect of the scheme. I am calling question No. 27.
Would the Minister agree there is a big problem in the division of commonages?
The Deputy insists on ignoring the Chair.
I would need to inquire into it and I will let the Deputy know.
May I again draw the attention of the Chair to the fact it is extremely difficult, if not sometimes impossible—I should add through no fault of the Minister—to hear the Minister properly up here. We have amplification and it should be capable of assisting——
The Deputy has complained about this before. I have pointed out that the same amplification is provided all round the House.
Sir, the same thing is happening here. I cannot hear the Minister and my hearing is pretty good.
It must be that both Deputy Blaney and I speak too low because I had difficulty in hearing him too.
As a long sufferer from this aspect of things here surely the whole purpose of amplification is to be able to attune it to the level of the various speakers' voices, not the speakers' voices being attuned to it?
I think that is unfair to the people who are working it.
The Chair will take the matter up again.
If the Minister would speak a little louder we could all hear him. For many years without amplification at all we could hear Ministers.
Question No. 27, and we will listen carefully.