asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the portion of South Kerry, south and west of a line drawn from Killorglin to Kenmare, is not suitable for the growing of wheat; and if he is prepared (a) to exempt the farmers in that area from the compulsory growing of wheat, or (b) to reduce the area to be tilled for wheat from one-sixteenth of the arable land to a smaller figure.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exemptions from Wheat Growing in Kerry.
I am aware that wheat has been grown successfully in the area to which the Deputy refers. While the arable land comprises only a small fraction of the total, there are several pockets of good arable land, and on these wheat can be grown, without hardship, to the extent required by the Order. I am not, therefore, prepared to alter the terms of the Order as suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that the farmers south of Killorglin have repeatedly tried to grow wheat and that their efforts have been unsuccessful, and is he aware that the rainfall in South Kerry is very high?
There are good pockets of land around Cahirciveen and Kenmare, and I have seen fairly good wheat grown there. With regard to the rainfall, wheat requires a certain amount of rain, like every other crop.
Is Kerry one of the districts in which the Minister intends to permit persons to grow rye instead of wheat, if they do not wish to grow wheat?
Not generally, anyway.
Can the Minister tell us why every Deputy wants everybody else to grow wheat, but does not want to grow it himself?
That question is not on the Order Paper.
No, but it ought to be.