asked the Minister for Agriculture if he would be prepared to extend the special subsidy which he intends introducing this year in the disadvantaged areas for an increase in suckler cows to the rest of the country so that our cattle numbers can increase more rapidly.

The increase from £32 to £70 in beef cow headage payments comes under the terms of EC regulations applicable to disadvantaged areas. These payments are not permitted in other areas.

Under the EC suckler cow premium scheme a separate grant of £26.25 per suckler cow is at present payable by the EC and this applies in respect of all areas of the country.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister saying it is not permissible for the national Government to extend the scheme as outlined in the question?

That is correct.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister ensure that ways and means are found to see if the scheme could be extended beyond the disadvantaged areas because our national herd is at an all-time low? The only way the national herd can be increased is if that scheme is extended outside the disadvantaged areas.

As the Deputy realises, the greater percentage of the suckler cow herd is in the disadvantaged areas. I understand there are about 280,000 out of a total of 388,000, almost 70 per cent, in the disadvantaged areas. The Government have decided that it is most important to boost and increase as dramatically as possible the beef cow herd, and the place to start is obviously in the disadvantaged areas where the greater part of the herd is placed. Because of EC restrictions, no other member state has been allowed to extend this scheme outside the disadvantaged areas and if this scheme were extended across the country financial constraints would be involved. This is something on which the Commission has always been very strong, as every member state knows to its cost.

Is it not true that due to EC policies on milk quotas and levies it should be possible to make a case so that this scheme could be extended right across the country?

All things are possible in time. Under the constraints in the EC Commission it does not look too likely at the moment. It is something we always have to keep under consideration.

(Limerick West): Will the Minister initiate discussions with the EC Commission in the forthcoming price review to have this extended? After all, everything is possible there.

Many other matters relating to the beef marketing system will be coming up in the near future and this will be part and parcel of that.