asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that in the datum year a large number of farmers in County Monaghan got supplies of artificial manure outside Eire, and, as a result, have no claim on a retail supplier in Eire now; and whether he will cause supplementary supplies of artificial manures to be sent to County Monaghan to enable retailers to provide some allocation for farmers who have no regular quota.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Artificial Manures for Monaghan.
In the datum year County Monaghan farmers were supplied with phosphatic manures—including compounds containing phosphates—from Irish factories and they are getting their quota accordingly as in other parts of the country. The available supplies do not permit of any supplementary quantities of artificial fertilisers being sent to retailers this season.
The Minister is aware, is he not, that in fact a considerable quantity of manures entered County Monaghan from sources other than Irish industrial concerns in the datum year?
Yes; I heard that stated.
Will he give any consideration to the special circumstances that have been created by that fact?
There are certain other cases put up, of various kinds, and they will be considered if we have any manure over and above what will be necessary to supply the quota, but I am very doubtful that we will have anything over.
Will the Minister say whether farmers who bought I.C.I. concentrated manure will get any consideration?
They will be included.
They are not at the moment included.