asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he has made any arrangement for the availability of spare parts for tractors, binders, etc., in view of the importance of having all such machinery in full working condition throughout the present emergency; and, if not, if he will have this matter examined immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spare Parts for Agricultural Machinery.
The position regarding supplies of spare parts for agricultural machinery is receiving constant attention in my Department and in the Department of Supplies, and the importance of maintaining such machinery in efficient working order is fully appreciated.
Up to the present the supply of spare parts has been barely adequate for our needs. I am hopeful, however, that careful usage by farmers, and the limiting of the issue of spare parts to cases of genuine necessity, will enable the great majority of machines to be kept in good working order.
Does the Minister appreciate the necessity of allocating new machines which are coming to hand in the form of binders, tractors and so forth to men who are thoroughly skilled in their use, so as to avoid unnecessary damage to them by those who are only learning to use them at present?
That is kept in mind.