asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate whether the former Ranks Mills, Dock Road, Limerick, are to be used for the purpose of storing intervention wheat-grain; if so, the proposed arrangements which have been arrived at; if he will indicate the compensation, if any, which has been paid over the last four years to persons-companies storing intervention wheat-grain; the names of such persons or companies and the compensation paid in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department has no plans at present to store intervention cereals in the premises referred to by the Deputy.

Persons or companies storing intervention grain are paid storage and handling allowances by my Department, which are refunded by the EC on the basis of standard rates applicable to member states generally. The total allowances paid over the past four years are as follows:

Arrangements for storage of intervention cereals are made between my Department and the store owners and for commercial reasons it would be inappropriate to disclose the sums paid to any individual or firm. The storage and handling allowances paid for each season apply on a uniform basis to all stores used.