asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will restrict the importation of onions during 1983.

Trade in onions is governed by EEC rules and a member state cannot unilaterally impose restrictions on imports. The production of onions in this country falls well short of market requirements and it is necessary to have imports to fill the gap.

(Limerick West): Are there any plans in the Minister's Department, or with the committee which he has set up, to investigate and ensure an adequate production of onions, even for the home market?

The chairman of the committee is a very substantial grower of the crop and shares the Deputy's concern. There is no good reason why we should not be able to produce sufficient quantities.

(Limerick West): So the Minister is optimistic in that regard?

Not for this year, but in the long-term, yes.

Would the Minister not agree that in the seventies we had a rapidly developing industry in the production of onions? That industry was allowed to collapse due to the rate of imports. Had there been a marketing board then to control production as well as importation this problem would not have arisen. We had a well developed industry ten years ago.

This question concerns restrictions on importation now. The Deputy cannot go back to the seventies.

14.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, in view of the effect of the importation of vegetables on Irish growers, the steps he proposes to take to protect the livelihood of Irish growers.

The most effective way of meeting competition from imported vegetables is to provide well-graded and well-presented products of top quality at keen prices. Many of our growers are successfully meeting competition in this way, but there is need in the industry as a whole for more co-ordination in production and marketing. Producer groups can provide the framework for this and financial aid is available from my Department for setting up such groups.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister indicate to the House the type of financial aid available to producer groups?

The significant one is where in the first year of production one gets a grant of 3 per cent of total production marketed. The second year one gets 2 per cent of total production marketed and the third year one gets 1 per cent.

(Limerick West): Are there many producer groups availing of these grants?

Not many. There are a few groups mainly in the glasshouse and apple sector. There is much scope for extension among horticultural groups.

(Limerick West): Will the Minister make this known by advertising in the public press?

Our friends in the press are here this evening.

(Limerick West): Will the Minister ask the Department to advertise because there are a number of groups who are unaware that these grants are available?

We will facilitate by way of a special statement to that effect.