asked the Minister for Agriculture the efforts he has made to ensure that the EEC ground limestone subsidy will be continued after 30 April 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

13.

andMr. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has any proposals for a liming programme for future years; and if he will confirm that ground limestone supplies will continue to be subsidised.

14.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will ensure that the lime subsidy is retained after April 1984 in view of the low lime status of soils generally.

15.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if the EEC-assisted ground limestone subsidy scheme will be continued after 30 April 1984.

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the up to-date position regarding the ground limestone subsidy payment in 1984.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 16, inclusive, together. The question of a further extension of the ground limestone subsidy beyond April 1984 will arise in due course in the context of the 1984-85 EEC price negotiations.

Can the Minister give any indication whether there will be a ground limestone subsidy after 30 April 1984?

I hope there will be but I cannot answer the question because we have not had proposals as yet from the Commission about the 1984-85 price regime. I cannot say when such proposals will be before the Council of Ministers. It may be next month or it may be delayed until the Paris summit in March.

What plans has the Minister submitted to ensure that this subsidy is available to Irish farmers to allow them to keep the land at the maximum level of productivity?

As I have said, I have not yet had proposals on the prices for next year and the question of whether this subsidy will be payable will depend on the price negotiations.

But what are the Minister's proposals in this regard?

We will be putting forward proposals based on the proposals put forward by the Commission but I cannot do anything until then in this matter.

What is the reason for the delay?

The reason is the failure to reach agreement at the Athens summit. Normally one would have proposals from the Commission prior to Christmas but obviously we will not have any such proposals for some time. They may come to us in the month of January or they may be delayed until March or April.

Is the Minister aware that the lime subsidy has fallen behind in terms of value and that, consequently, the Minister should be not only making a case for a continuation of the subsidy but for a substantial increase in it?

There have been no proposals put to me in that regard. At present the scheme is financed to the extent of 50 per cent from the national Exchequer and 50 per cent from the EEC. The amounts of money invested in the scheme since 1980 are as follows: 1980, nil; 1981, £1.8 million; 1982, £4.5 million and the estimate for the current year is £5.2 million.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that it is normal for member states to inspire what these proposals contain and is he aware also of the employment content of ensuring that the lime subsidy is continued?

I am very much aware of the employment factor. In that context I receive constant representations from the interest involved. I would point out that originally the Commission's proposals give a bare outline of price increases, merely indicating that the increase will be 5 or 6 per cent or perhaps that there will be no increase. All the various small deals regarding cost premiums, subsidies for lime, for A1 and so on are worked out in the latter stages of the price negotiations. We do not have even the original proposals yet.

I am sure the Minister will not let us down.

I am grateful for the expression of confidence.

Has the Minister any figure regarding the amount of lime usage last year and how it compared with usage in the previous year.

In 1980 the usage was 0.96 million tonnes, in 1981 it was 1.3 million tonnes, in 1982 it was 1.6 million tonnes while in 1983 the estimated use is 1.9 million tonnes.

Have the Government provided in the 1984 Estimates for their contribution to the scheme?

That arises in the context of the 1984 budget.

But the Estimates have been published.

They are different from the budget. The proposal in this regard is a budgetary proposal.

Do the Estimates for the coming year include the 50 per cent Government contribution?

That is the same question as Deputy Kitt has asked and the answer is the same, too.

Is the 50 per cent included in the Estimates?

It is not a matter to be considered in preparing the Estimates.

I am asking if it will be included.

We must have order. There are two Deputies shouting at the same time.

Is it a question of the Minister not wishing to say anything until he gets money from the EEC?

I do not know whether the Deputy is thick or is lacking in imagination.

The Minister should withdraw that remark.

I am sorry. I did not intend to be offensive.

We graciously accept the Minister's apology but we would like a guarantee from him that he is committed in regard to this subsidy.

Order. I am calling the next question.