asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state for each county the number of defaulters under the Compulsory Tillage Order where compulsory entry has been made by his Department for the purpose of taking over the lands and enforcing the Order, and if he will say whether the incidence of default is greater in the non-tillage areas; and, if so, what efforts were made by his Department to organise and provide ploughing equipment in districts where people did not possess the necessary equipment and where sufficient ploughing tackle was not available for hire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Tillage Defaulters.
In reply to the first part of the question. I would refer the Deputy to the particulars given in my reply of the 25th instant to a similar inquiry from Deputy Davin.
With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that the number of cases of default reported so far is only slightly greater in the non-tillage areas as compared with the tillage areas. The reasons given by defaulters for failure to cultivate the requisite area were not, except in a few instances, the lack of ploughing equipment. The necessity for organising and providing equipment in such districts has, therefore, not so far arisen.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficient ploughing equipment in the non-tillage districts, and is not the lack of ploughing equipment a problem?
I think I made it clear in my answer that I am satisfied about the position.
I do not think it is in accordance with the facts.