Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1986

Vol. 363 No. 1

Written Answers. - Livestock Marts Sectoral Programme.

348.

Mr. Prendergast

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the application by the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society Ltd. for the necessary FEOGA grant-aid for livestock plants and the benefits that would accrue to the economy in the context of employment and Exchequer returns; if he is in a position to outline progress from the working party on a sectoral programme for submission to the EC Commission in Brussels which was promised by the Minister of State on 21 November 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

349.

Mr. G. Collins

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the progress made by him on the question of grant-aid for livestock marts under FEOGA having regard to the deputation which his Minister of State, Deputy Hegarty, met on this issue on 21 November 1985.

353.

Mr. J. O'Leary

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will arrange for a FEOGA grant to be paid by the European Commission to the South West Kerry Development Organisation in respect of the development and erection of a mart in Caherciveen, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter setting out the present position.

Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Deasy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 349 and 353 together.

In August last the co-ordinating bodies for livestock marts made a joint submission to my Department about necessary and desirable improvements at marts and seeking FEOGA aid under Regulation EEC 355/77.

On 21 November Deputy Paddy Hegarty, Minister of State at my Department, met a deputation from these bodies and agreed to the preparation of a draft sectoral programme covering livestock marts. The submission to the EC Commission of such a programme would be a prerequisite to consideration of any individual projects for aid. A working party consisting of officers from my Department and representatives from the mart bodies was set up and is at present compiling data preparatory to the formulation of a sectoral programme.