asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to encourage projects such as the one at Lanesboro, County Longford, where waste heat from electricity generating stations is being used to grow tomatoes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horticultural Industry.
13.
My Department have given every encouragement, including financial aid under the farm modernisation scheme, to the Lanesboro glass-house project. It will continue to help in any practicable way open to it.
The question asks if the Minister intends to encourage projects such as that at Lanesboro. I am delighted that the Lanesboro project is a success. Because of this, is the Minister interested in encouraging such projects in other counties such as Wexford where we have the expertise and also where a generating station is sited?
First, my Department are very interested in ensuring that as far as possible this type of project will be extended to other areas. I would point out, however, that the Lanesboro project was not completely successful at the beginning and ran into difficulties, having many teething troubles. However, it seems to be getting off the ground all right now.
Would the Minister not agree that the Lanesboro project having now outgrown its teething problems, is such a success that it would be a headline for other projects throughout the country? Would he care to comment on that?
It is a very useful concept and it is to be hoped that in the near future when all the problems are ironed out the Lanesboro project could be used by groups of a similar interest to see if they could improve on its success.
(Limerick West): Having regard to the stiff competition facing our tomato growers from imports, particularly of early tomatoes, would his Department be prepared to encourage and aid the growers by way of grants and subsidies?
I have mentioned that the Lanesboro project seems to be a useful one. The Department are currently monitoring it on an on-going basis and if there are other similar projects which people have in mind, my Department will give them every help possible.
Have the Minister's Department any specific project in mind at present, since the one at Lanesboro has been a success? Is he also aware that energy costs are the biggest factor in the tomato growing industry? Obviously there could be a big saving here. Has the Minister a project in mind in any other part of the country, or are his Department interested at all? Is what he is saying all nonsense?
Anybody who understands the commitment of my Department to the Lanesboro project will know that we are very much behind the project.
But that was at a different time.
In reply to the other part of Deputy Byrne's question, I am not aware of other projects — at least none has been brought to my notice.
Would the Minister ask his Department to get down to business as it is only commonsense?
Yes, we will certainly get down to business.
14.
asked the Minister for Agriculture his proposals to ensure that sufficient vegetables will be grown and marketed in this country in order to eliminate the massive import of such products.
15.
asked the Minister for Agriculture his proposals to ensure that the growing of tomatoes in this country is made more attractive for Irish growers.
16.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the high energy costs in the horticultural industry; and his proposals to improve this situation.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, together.
The horticultural industry already enjoys a concession in the rate of excise duty payable on the fuel oil it uses. Developments in the distribution of natural gas could provide an alternative and cheaper source of energy for the industry, and the possibilities in this connection are being looked into.
In the tomato sector, efforts are also being made to improve the marketing of the crop and I have agreed to give financial assistance to an initiative involving the employment of a market co-ordinator for glasshouse crops.
To meet the competition from imports during our own supply season, better organisation of the industry is needed. Producer groups can make a major contribution to achieving this, and aid is available from my Department towards the establishment of such groups.
I should add that an inter-departmental group is currently monitoring imports of all food products and horticultural products are one of the more important sectors being examined. Also I have recently re-appointed the Horticultural Development Group for a further three-year term. All of these various measures are designed to assist the various sectors of the horticultural industry and to help it to expand production and secure a greater share of the market.
Mr. Leonard
Is the Minister aware that we are importing 6,000 tonnes of tomatoes at a value of approximately £5 million? The measures he has outlined in his reply are not adequate to meet that situation. This is a matter of urgency. Would the Minister deal with the situation facing the tomato growers, especially as many tomato houses are not in use?
I assure the House that every effort will be made to do what is possible to help those who are involved in the tomato-growing industry.
17.
asked the Minister for Agriculture his proposals to ensure that no potatoes will be imported from non-EEC countries.
The import of potatoes from non-EEC countries is prohibited except under licence. In view, however, of our obligations under the EEC-Cyprus agreement and as only minimal quantities of Irish earlies are yet available, licences have been granted recently for the import of 250 tonnes of potatoes from Cyprus, a country which purchases many times that quantity of seed potatoes from us.
Would the Minister not agree that the granting of such licences is militating against Irish potato growers? In these circumstances and in view of recent events, would he not reconsider his decision?
The problem is that because of the various trade agreements we have with countries associated with, but not members of, the EEC and having regard to the fact that in this instance the trade balance is very much in our favour from the point of view of seed potatoes, we have to be seen to give a certain trade to the country in question. If we were to prevent potato imports from Cyprus we would be only harming ourselves.
Can the Minister give a guarantee that if a certain consignment of potatoes comes in it will be the last and that the licence will not be used to bring in further quantities as has happened in the past? Is the Minister aware fully of the situation facing potato growers particularly in the North Leinster areas?
I am aware of the problems facing these people. My information is that it is not proposed to extend the licence beyond the 250 tonnes importation.