asked the Minister for Agriculture if arrangements are being made to ensure that all the available resources of his Department will be mobilised to deal with the emergency that has arisen owing to the complete hold-up of all agricultural operations during the past two months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hold-up of Agricultural Operations.
My Department is naturally concerned to ensure that everything possible is done to assist the farming community in their efforts to overtake the arrears of spring work.
Can the Minister state if any survey is being made of the number of tractors that are available in the various counties which are not at present being used for agricultural purposes, and will he say if they will be made available for that purpose, if required?
I do not think the Department of Agriculture has any return but the tillage inspectors have been instructed to get in touch with the local staff, that is, the agricultural supervisors, to get after any tractor that is not being used and to see if it can be made available.