asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he has any proposals to rectify the serious lime deficiency which is so apparent over a large part of Ireland; and if he is aware that, given suitable machinery, ground limestone could be made available to farmers at a lower cost than alternative sources of lime requiring the use of fuel so badly needed for other purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deficiency of Lime.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has had in operation for several years a lime subsidy scheme to enable farmers requiring lime for their lands to purchase it cheaply. I propose to maintain this scheme, which has been availed of extensively.
The production of ground limestone for general use would entail the erection of several large-scale plants, which would not be feasible in present circumstances.