asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what steps have been taken to secure the collection and distribution of the vast quantities of seaweed along the coast, for the purpose of supplementing farm manure for the present season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Collection of Seaweed.
Every opportunity has been taken to urge farmers in the coastal districts to collect as much seaweed as possible this season for manurial purposes, especially for the potato crop. The collection and distribution of seaweed is essentially a matter for local enterprise.
Is the Department prepared to take any steps at all to ensure that this seaweed which is going to waste will be collected and sent inland?
If I thought there was any possibility of seaweed going to waste and if practical steps could be suggested, I think we would be prepared to adopt them.
Would the Minister consider whether the local authorities might be got to organise workers for this purpose in the same way as road workers are organised?
I think there would be considerable opposition by local people if anyone went in to take the seaweed.
The position is that, on the one hand, the seaweed is there, and that, on the other, it is wanted further inland, and the farmers on the seaboard are taking enough of the seaweed themselves but are not making use of what is left.
I do not know where the position arises.