asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there are over 20,000 barrels of barley of this year's crop left on the hands of the farmers of North Tipperary, and if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take to enable such farmers to dispose of this barley without further delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary and Kilkenny Grain Crops.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that tillage farmers in Kilkenny have on their hands large quantities of oats and barley for which they can find no market at any price; that these quantities of corn are occupying much-needed accommodation in their farm buildings, and whether he will state what steps it is intended to take to enable these farmers to dispose of such stores of grain so that they can meet their current liabilities.
Dr. Ryan
I propose to take questions 20 and 21 together. I am aware that there is still a considerable quantity of grain in the hands of growers in certain areas and I have in contemplation measures which I hope to announce almost immediately and which, I anticipate, will have the result of having all such grain taken off the hands of growers.
Will the Minister indicate what he means by "almost immediately"?
Dr. Ryan
Not immediately, but nearly so.
In view of the unsatisfactory and indefinite nature of the Minister's reply, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment.
Dr. Ryan
This matter is now very urgent, according to the Deputy——
If the Minister were active there would be no necessity for raising it.
Dr. Ryan
If the matter is so urgent, why did the Deputy not come on the deputations to me?
If the Minister were active in his duty there would be no necessity.
Dr. Ryan
If the Deputy were to raise the question to-morrow he might be too late.