(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the total EC milk production in the year just finished was 250,000 tonnes below the overall super-levy ceiling; if he will ensure that Ireland will be allocated a fair proportion of that reserve; and the measures he will take to ensure that Ireland is given a realistic quota which will not result in super-levy payments.

A final figure for Community milk deliveries in 1984-85 is not yet available. There is no provision in the relevant regulations which would enable a shortfall of overall deliveries below the super levy ceiling for 1984-85 to be added to the reserve.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister indicate if there is a possibility of a further allocation from Europe, in addition to the allocation we have already received, in view of the fact that the total EC milk production is less than the ceiling anticipated?

There is no provision in the super-levy regulations whereby any shortfall in milk take below the overall reference quantity for the Community may be put into a reserve.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister initiate such an approach to the Commission?

I do not mind asking them, but the regulations do not make any provision for that.

(Limerick West): Surely it is possible for the Minister, as a member of the Council of Ministers, to make changes in the regulations to ensure that this could happen? Will he do that?

As I said, I have no objection to asking that.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister let the House know the outcome in due course?

Yes.

Has there been an examination of the drop in milk production in different countries? What kind of monitoring is there in the EC?

The figure mentioned by Deputy Noonan is an estimate, no final figures are yet available and they will not be for some months. The figure mentioned by Deputy Noonan could be reasonably accurate. We think it could be as high as 300,000 tonnes. This could be due to the fact that one or several countries did not produce their quota levels because of the slaughtering of cows and the natural cutbacks due to the imposition of the levy.

Is this not important for Ireland when our farmers are planning in advance to hold on to replacements? In a few years time the milk situation might be reversed——

We all hope that will be the case.

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