asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that the provisions of Part I. of the Weeds and Agricultural Seeds (Ireland) Act, 1909, have been evaded by at least 40 per cent. of the landowners of Meath during the present year, inasmuch as they failed to destroy the noxious weeds growing on their holdings; whether the Department's Inspectors were operating in the said county during the present year; and whether, if he considers such a course necessary, he will introduce an amending Bill to the Act of 1909 so as to provide against such evasions of the law in future.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EVASION OF WEEDS AND AGRICULTURAL SEEDS ACT.
Mr. HOGAN
I am not aware that the provisions of the Act in question have been evaded in County Meath to the extent stated. During the past summer two inspectors were employed in that county, who interviewed over 1,000 occupiers on whose lands weeds were prevalent. It was found necessary to serve notices to destroy weeds on only 111 of these occupiers, almost all of whom complied with the notices. No prosecutions were found necessary.
I do not think that an amending Bill is at present called for, but the matter will be considered, should further experience appear to justify the introduction of additional legislation.
Is the Minister aware that in reply to a similar question just a year ago, he told me that there were only two defaulters in County Meath, whereas, on an inspection that I made myself I discovered in one rural district 54 defaulters? Will he consider it advisable now to send down Inspectors to County Meath to re-inspect the lands and discover if the facts are as stated in my question?
Mr. HOGAN
The Deputy has stated that that was last year, but I am dealing with this year.
The reply I got this year is like the one I got last year. It is not accurate.
Mr. HOGAN
The Deputy stated that I replied last year that there were two defaulters, and that he himself found 54.
In one rural district.
Mr. HOGAN
Apparently, the Deputy and the Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture have different ideas as to what noxious weeds are.
I would ask the Minister to define what weeds are, and I would ask him to give a candid reply in this matter, as to whether he is aware that leaving thistles uncut until after the seed has fallen on the land is a violation of the Act, and as they poison the land of people who have already cut the weeds whether he will take steps to remedy that state of affairs?
Mr. HOGAN
The Deputy has asked me to define what weeds are. They are really thistles on ordinary pasture. He is perfectly right in saying that when owners leave thistles on the land they do themselves harm, and also do a very great amount of injury to neighbouring landowners. We realise the necessity for administering this Act. There were 1,000 inspections in Co. Meath this year, and the Inspectors advised the people to cut the thistles. I cannot be accurate about the number, but apparently 111 refused to take that advice. Notices were served, and of the 111 I am informed that by far the greater number complied, perhaps too late.
This is a serious question, and I would ask the Minister now to find out if notice has been served on Mr. Patrick Dunne Cullinan, of Carrolstown, and if not, if he would have the lands inspected to find out if there are 420 acres of thistles still standing in that part of the County Meath.