asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he intends to develop the tobacco industry to such an extent as to make it an important part of our agricultural industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tobacco Industry.
Since 1934, growers have had an assured market for homegrown tobacco, and, with due regard to quality, have obtained a remunerative price for each year's crop. Despite this, the number of growers has declined steadily from 1,500 to 12, and the area under the crop from 1,050 acres to 17 acres. Reasonable incentives for development have been provided, but it is evident that farmers are more attracted by other forms of agricultural production.