170 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the up to date position on his efforts to secure EU financial assistance for Ireland's lowland sheep producers, whose income has been seriously eroded with serious consequences for individual farmers and employment in the processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/95]

172 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if, in addition to negotiating additional ewe premia in Brussels, he is seeking to have the rural world premium increased and extended to producers in non-disadvantaged areas; the way he intends to full compensate early lamb producers as lamb prices were down by up to 25p per pound this year and as there is a huge exodus from sheep farming in the lowland areas. [13506/95]

173 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has calculated the income loss of sheep farmers in terms of additional ewe premium compensation; and if he will outline, in terms of pounds per ewe, the amount of money he is seeking to negotiate in Brussels to fully compensate flock owners, taking account of the fact that Irish lamb prices are significantly below the EU average and at unprecedented low levels this year. [13507/95]

174 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the weekly price for Irish lamb as reported to the EU for each week since 1 September 1995; the comparative figures for the corresponding period in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/95]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 172, 173 and 174 together.

Official weekly prices for Irish lamb as reported to the EU for each week since 1 September 1995 and the corresponding prices for 1994 are as follows: