Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with ICMSA.
- ICMSA meeting topics 2 speeches
The Taoiseach referred the Deputy to the joint Government–ICMSA statement for the policy matters discussed at their meeting.
Dick Spring, Charles J. Haughey
- ICMSA support for development plan 2 speeches
Spring asked whether the ICMSA now accepted the National Development Plan; the Taoiseach said they generally supported it, or more specifically the Programme for National Recovery.
Dick Spring, Charles J. Haughey
- Taxation of farmers 2 speeches
Spring asked whether farmer taxation was discussed and what alternatives the ICMSA proposed. The Taoiseach said the Government supported taxing farmers on the same basis as others, while the ICMSA had its own policy.
Dick Spring, Charles J. Haughey
- EC support for small farmers 3 speeches
Spring cited an unequal distribution of EC support and asked whether the Government would seek change for small farmers. The Taoiseach disputed the figures but said supporting small family farms was a key policy aim, with Commission backing.
Dick Spring, Seán Treacy, Charles J. Haughey
- Government consultation and recovery programme 2 speeches
Dukes asked whether new consultative machinery with the ICMSA and IFA departed from the process in the Programme for National Recovery, and challenged why his question had been transferred. Spring called this favouritism.
Alan M. Dukes, Dick Spring
asked the Taoiseach the policy matters which were discussed at the recent meeting with the ICMSA.
Comment on this
The policy matters which were discussed at the meeting which the Minister for Agriculture and Food and I had with representatives of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association on 1 November 1989 are outlined in the joint Government/ICMSA statement that issued after the meeting. The statement is available in the Oireachtas Library.
Comment on this
Given that the Taoiseach outlined the content and objectives of the National Development Plan to the representatives of the ICMSA on that occasion, did they express views on whether they now accept the National Development Plan and its objectives which they did not agree with or sign at its inception? Are the ICMSA now in agreement with the National Development Plan in as far as it relates to farming?
Comment on this
I do not want to act as spokesman for the ICMSA but I think the general position is they support the National Development Plan, or perhaps more specifically the Programme for National Recovery.
Comment on this
I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware that the ICMSA have campaigned vociferously for many years against tax on accounts. Was this matter discussed and what were their proposed alternatives in the form of a land tax or produce tax?
Comment on this
I think the positions of both of us are well known in that regard. The Government are firmly committed to the taxation of farmers on the same basis as the rest of the community. The ICMSA have their own policy in regard to farmer taxation.
Comment on this
I take it from what the Taoiseach said that the matter was discussed. Given that from the EC support mechanisms at present in place 20 per cent of producers get over 80 per cent of the benefits, will the Taoiseach be working with the ICMSA to bring about change in this position for the benefit of small farmers in particular?
Comment on this
I do not accept the figures given by the Deputy, but an important thrust of Government agricultural policy is to promote the best interests of the small farmer, and particularly the small family farm, in every way. In that regard we have the support of the Commission.
Comment on this
Since the Taoiseach has decided to answer this question from Deputy Spring, as indeed he should have, why did he then transfer to the Minister for Agriculture and Food a question I put down to him asking whether the consultative machinery that is being set up by the ICMSA and the IFA on the one hand and the Government on the other hand represents in any sense a departure from the process set out in the Programme for National Recovery?