Ceist 12.

12.

asked the Minister for the Environment (i) the estimated cost for (a) the remainder of 1981, (b) 1982 and (c) 1983 of his promise to introduce a scheme to abolish rates on agricultural land; (ii) if he will give details of the scheme; and (iii) when it will be introduced.

The administrative arrangements for the new reliefs are at present being examined and a decision about them will be announced as soon as possible. The net amount of rates payable on land in respect of the balance of the current year is estimated to be £15.315 million. The cost of relieving these rates for the remainder of the current year would therefore be £15.315 million less any saving arising from the application of conditions such as those set out in the Government's statement of aims. The cost in respect of 1982 and 1983 would depend on the level of local authority rate poundages in those years.

Would the Minister care to indicate to the House how the scheme will operate since it is suggested in his policy document which is tied to a five-year development programme with ACOT? If a farmer has a five-year development scheme and drops out after one year, do the rates go back on?

The Department of Agriculture are examining these matters to see exactly how the scheme will operate and the plans which would be acceptable and measurable by ACOT over the five-year period. It applies only to full-time farmers. There are conditions attached to the waiver of rates.

Very big farmers.

Deputy Wilson is obviously very ignorant of what he is talking about.

Big farmers only. There are 20,000 farmers in my county who are not affected at all.

The Deputy is displaying his ignorance. As an ex-member of the Government he is displaying terrible ignorance.

A display of ignorance is not exactly the phrase which should be used. The Minister said it is not measurable at this stage. One thing coming clearly out of the replies received to the questions I put down is that commitments and promises were made to the Irish people and we are now being told they are being costed. We are now being told that the details have not been worked out despite the fact that during the election we were told they had been costed.

A question, Deputy.

Will farmers who have completed a development programme be excluded?

No, not necessarily.

Answer the question "yes" or "no".

Full-time farmers——

I am talking about farmers who have completed a five-year development programme. Will they be excluded or included?

I do not mind answering the question but the Deputy should wait for the answer before he begins to ask a second supplementary question. This scheme will apply to full-time farmers who submit and have approved by ACOT or some other agency a plan for the development of their holdings. The Deputy was not so anxious to jump in and ask questions when he was on this side of the House. Obviously if a farmer has completed his development plan technically he will not be eligible.

Technically not?

Deputies who were over here for four years are very anxious to contribute now. They were not a bit anxious to do so when they were over here. Those who can show that they will continue to operate their holdings or farms to the maximum benefit without loss of production will benefit as well.

Ceist 13.

I want to ask one final supplementary. This is very important. I asked only one supplementary.

I think Deputies will all agree I have been very generous with supplementaries. In 55 minutes we have got to Question No. 12 only.

I asked only one supplementary.

That is my ruling. Question No. 13.

On a point of order, since I came into this House the Deputy who put down the question asked a number of supplementaries and then back-benchers were allowed one question. I do not want to criticise the ruling of the Chair. I wanted to put a supplementary question when Deputy Allen was finished.

It is not my intention to muzzle the Opposition in any way. I ask for their co-operation. I promise I will not try to prevent supplementaries being asked when they are reasonable. I must give other Deputies an opportunity to ask question as well. There are a number of questions still to come. I crave the indulgence of Deputies on this matter and I promise I will not try to stop any Deputy from asking questions.