asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give an assurance that any increase in incomes to the plant breeding division of the Agricultural Institute as a result of the Plant Varieties (Proprietary Rights) Bill, 1979, will not be taken into account in deciding the appropriate level of support for such plant breeding activities from public funds.
Written Answers. - Plant Breeding Activities.
14.
It is not possible to give the assurance sought by the Deputy. Levels of Exchequer support are determined annually and undertakings as to the basis for deciding on the appropriate levels of future financial support cannot be made in advance. However, any income which might accrue to the Agricultural Institute in the foreseeable future as a result of this legislation is unlikely to be significant in the context of their overall support from public funds.