asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is prepared to examine the possibility of establishing (1) a potato chip factory; and (2) a glucose factory in Cooley district, Co. Louth; further, to ask the Minister whether he is prepared to establish in the coming autumn an experimental farm in the same district for the purpose of carrying out experiments in the growing of peas, beans, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants, apples, and other fruits and vegetables, also in all-year-round dairy farming; and further, whether, in view of the special circumstances obtaining in the district, he is prepared to make arrangements for the advancement of loans, to be repaid in instalments after two years, to farmers who will plant one-quarter acre and upwards of these crops in their own farms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Assistance to Louth District.
As I indicated in yesterday's discussion on the Estimates for the Department of Agriculture, the Department have not overlooked the fact that farmers in the Cooley district are at present largely dependent upon one crop—i.e., potatoes. The Department have, therefore, on several occasions investigated the possibility of the utilisation of potatoes for industrial purposes; of the growing of alternative crops, and also the development of some branch of stock-farming in that district. The matters referred to in the Deputy's question will be further considered in the light of such additional information as can be obtained.
When may we expect a scheme from the Minister in connection with the matter?
Mr. Hogan
I have not promised a scheme. A scheme in regard to what?
A scheme regarding the establishment of a potato chip factory, a glucose factory, or an experimental farm, or the giving of loans to farmers to grow the crops indicated.
Mr. Hogan
It is not for me or the Department of Agriculture to establish a factory. We can assist in costings and so on, but it is for the private capital of the citizens of the country or someone else to start a factory. There was some talk of starting a glucose factory, and the pioneers were sent to the Cooley district, but they chose another place instead. The Department of Agriculture cannot establish a factory in Cooley and carry it on in a commercial way.
I have not indicated that I intended it to be carried on by the Department of Agriculture. Does not the Minister think that in that district he might do something for their main crop, just as he is doing for dairy farming in Limerick and places like that? Could not the Minister find out through his staff what is the best to be done, and then put up a scheme for the co-operative development of that in the district?
Mr. Hogan
It is almost impossible to discuss this matter by way of question and answer. We discussed it at some length yesterday, and I indicated what we could do. So far as establishing a factory for the utilisation of potatoes not sold in the English market is concerned, we have done all that we can do in drawing the attention of people intending to go in for establishing some sort of factory to deal with potatoes in any way, that Cooley is the best district in Ireland for it. They have investigated that, and yet they propose to establish a factory elsewhere. We also propose to keep in touch with the results obtained by commercial concerns in utilising potatoes for purposes of potato flour or glucose, and if we see that there are any results that would warrant the establishment of a factory in Cooley, and that we can encourage that, we are ready to do it, but we cannot go in directly and build a factory, put up capital and run the factory afterwards. With regard to alternative crops, we have two or three instructors there who have gone to some trouble to get farmers in that district to change their method of farming from the state of affairs which they are in at present, where they are dependent on one crop, and we will continue that, but we cannot do any more.
Does the Minister not think that something more is required than an itinerant instructor going around, as in the present year alone there are £12,000 in rates outstanding in that district? Does he not think that an experimental farm would meet the necessity much better than an itinerant instructor going around?
Mr. Hogan
I do not believe an experimental farm would take the matter one step further. We have five or six such farms, where we are experimenting in the various problems mentioned by the Deputy in the question. It does not matter whether such a farm is in Clonakilty or North Louth, the results can go all over the country. I do not see that an experimental farm in Louth growing raspberries and strawberries can carry the matter any further. The costings in regard to the growing of raspberries and strawberries, and other crops which the Deputy mentioned, are well known, and they are at the disposal of the farmers, and what advantage another experimental farm would be I fail to see.
Does the Minister not think, as almost 90 per cent. of the district is tilled, it is particularly suitable for an experimental farm, especially for crops that require a great amount of labour in their culture?
Mr. Hogan
We have, as I have pointed out, four or five such farms, where we are doing all the experiments necessary in tillage crops, and the results obtained can go to Louth, even though the experimental farms are not in Louth. I do not see the necessity for any such farm in County Louth—in fact I think we have too many such farms.
Does the Minister believe that we have too many experimental farms?
Mr. Hogan
I think we have quite enough.
I do not agree with the Minister.