asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will outline the purpose, hopes and expectations of the new beef incentive scheme.

34.

andMr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries how he proposes to implement payment of beef subsidy schemes.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 33 and 34 together.

The primary purpose of the new Beef Cattle Incentive Scheme is to promote increased production of beef in herds not used for commercial milk production. As well as serving as an incentive to the owners of these herds to expand their production of beef, for which there are good export market outlets and prospects, the scheme is also intended to serve as a counter-attraction to any of these herd owners who may otherwise be contemplating switching some or all of their production to dairying where the position as regards market outlets is becoming increasingly difficult and likely to remain so for some time to come. The scheme will, of course, also benefit a large number of herd owners—many of whom reside in the poorer farming areas—who do not receive from the State financial incentives comparable to those provided for milk. It is expected that over 300,000 animals will qualify for grant annually under the scheme.

Under the scheme, which will come into operation on 1st April next, an annual payment of £8 will be made in respect of each calved cow in excess of two in herds not used for commercial milk production. There will be two inspections annually of each applicant's herd and payment in respect of eligible animals will be made following the second inspection. Detailed particulars of the conditions and procedure to be followed will be published as soon as possible.

Could the Minister say as regards qualifying for this scheme if a farmer has a number of cows, makes butter and sells it, will he qualify?

I will check on that one.

Or if he is selling cream?

And also that one.

I have a feeling the Minister knows the answer but he is not giving it.

I would say he does but he will check on it.

Is it not a fact that the number of people who have cows and will not be selling any butter but are just using them for calf rearing would be very small?

30,000.

I think that is a fictitious figure.

No.

It is really taken out of the Minister's head.

I do not keep figures like that in my head.

Arising out of the Minister's reply to Question No. 34, with Deputy Kenny I put down that question more than two weeks ago and I got a note from the Ceann Comhairle saying that the question was disallowed. I suggest the question was on today's Order Paper just because a Fianna Fáil Deputy put down the same question. Would that be right? I have a letter here.

No. I do not doubt that you have a letter in your pocket. I became aware of Deputy Collins's question, which was put down a week or a fortnight ago—I do not remember exactly when—which apparently appeared on the Order Paper and was postponed, so far as I understand. However, it did appear on the Order Paper and the reason it was postponed I think—although I have not further inquired—was that a similar question had already been disallowed. Deputy Collin's question, apparently, had been let through and this did not come from my Department. It was done somewhere in the Dáil Office. That being the case, it would have been wrong, I think, had I answered Deputy Collin's question at that time, which did appear on the Order Paper and which it was suggested should be postponed. I readily agreed and so today the two questions are coming along together, and indeed they would have been together earlier. I had nothing to do with them except to abide by what I was requested to do.

This letter is dated 8th November.

The Minister did not write that letter.

The Chair will look into Deputy Farrelly's contention. Question No. 35.

Was Question 34 answered?

Questions 33 and 34 were answered together.