asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that in large areas of the Donegal Gaeltacht the potato crop is suffering from the inroads of the eelworm pest which attacks the root and stem of the potato plant; and whether his Department have taken any steps to extirpate this pest which has now become a serious menace to the small farmers of the Gaeltacht who have little room for crop rotation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Disease in Donegal.
I am aware that the eelworm pest exists in a small area in south-west Donegal and causes a certain amount of injury to potato crops. Research work on the pest has been in progress in this and neighbouring countries for many years but, so far, no effective measure for its control or eradication has been discovered, other than the "resting" of infected land from potato growing for as long a period as may be practicable.