asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that poultry keepers, especially in County Cork, are seriously hampered at present in the production of early chickens as sufficient paraffin oil is not available for incubators and brooders: and if so, if he will make increased quantities of such oil available, so that poultry keepers may be in a position to export, during 1947 and 1948, the quantity of eggs which has been mutually agreed upon between the Government of Great Britain and ourselves.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Supply for Incubators.
I am aware that arrears in deliveries of kerosene for lamps, incubators, etc., have occurred recently in some areas of County Cork owing to the current shortage of transport and to the concentration on deliveries of tractor vaporising oil for tillage purposes. I have made arrangements with the oil distributing companies to have deliveries made in the near future to the areas where supplies are still outstanding, and the companies inform me that from a date early in May they will be in a position to meet all arrears in deliveries in County Cork. Greatly increased allowances of kerosene have been made for poultry raising during the current season as compared with previous seasons, and allowance is now made for the full requirements of poultry keepers.