asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will retain the EC headage payments at their present level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

59.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is his intention to pay headage payments in 1987 at the same levels as last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 59 together. As I have already announced, I intend to maintain the 1987 headage payments in the disadvantaged areas at the normal 1986 levels which applied prior to the introduction late last year of the special emergency weather aid supplements financed by the EC on a once-off basis.