asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he expects that a supplementary provision will be necessary to add to the Estimates provision for phosphatic fertilisers; and if fertiliser use is at the same level as last year, in view of the fact that this year's provision is £50,000 less than the amount actually expended last year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Provision.
45.
The 1972-73 Estimates provision for fertiliser subsidy (phosphatic and potassic fertilisers) is £6,200,000 which is equal to the amount expended in 1971-72. Present indications as to fertiliser use in the current fertiliser year do not suggest any significant change as compared with the 1970-71 figure. I am not in a position to forecast, at this stage, what the position may be in relation to a Supplementary Estimate.
Is the Minister sure that the provision for this year is not smaller than what was actually spent last year.
The information which I have here does not seem to agree with the Deputy's suggestion.