asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state in relation to various schemes for the encouragement of beef production at present under consideration by the EEC (a) the extent to which each of them will be financed by EEC funds and (b) the extent, if any, to which any of them will preclude the continuance of the present Beef Cattle Incentive Scheme in 1974.

No decisions have yet been taken by the Council of Ministers of the EEC on measures designed to increase beef production. As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy on 9th November, this whole matter is to be further considered by the council. In the circumstances, it is not possible for me, at this stage, to indicate the extent to which any measure, if adopted, will be financed from EEC funds. Neither is it possible to indicate what effect, if any, the adoption of these measures would have on the present beef cattle incentive scheme in 1974.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell me if the decisions which the Council of Ministers are taking at the moment are based on draft proposals from the Commission and if these proposals contain financial provisions?

I have not that information.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell me, then, if they are just discussing the thing in general without having any specific proposals before them and, if not, why cannot he give the information about the financial aspect?

I am not in a position to deal with the financial aspect of it at the present time. When the draft proposals have been prepared and have been fully discussed, then we will be in a position to give the financial implications. As I said in my reply, at the present time we are not in a position to do so.

Question No. 65.

Am I correct in thinking that the Parliamentary Secretary will not be able to give me the information until it is too late, when the thing is finally wrapped up?

I have called Question No. 65. Questions end at 4 o'clock. I have been trying to get in as many questions as possible. Question No. 65.