asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if any aid is available to agricultural contractors under EEC Directive 159.

The investment aids provided for and regulated by Directive 159/72 relate only to investments by farmers on their own farms and do not provide for aids to agricultural contractors for the purpose of their contracting businesses.

That is a very important thing at the present time. I would ask the Minister to take a direct interest in this. It is necessary that we have agricultural contractors and agricultural contractors should also get some benefit. This is necessary now more than ever.

I agree with the the Deputy, but we are not allowed to provide this sort of assistance.

Am I right in assuming from what the Minister has said that farmers will be eligible for grants on their own machinery and property?

Yes, limited grants.

Question No. 184.

Could the Minister say whether or not a group of farmers coming together could make and be successful in an application for moneys to buy machinery if it were group farming? Following on from that, if they wanted to, could they nominate a particular person to apply on their behalf for grants? Would the Minister be in a position to say now whether or not he would think they would be eligible?

It is difficult to answer that one. I have no direct answer to it of which I could be sure. I doubt it. Perhaps if they were coming together as a co-op there might be some possibility of assistance. But I think the only way they could get assistance would be on their own individual farms in conjunction with the development scheme. However I shall look at it and see if there is anything that can be done.

If the Minister would, please, and let us know.