asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he intends to introduce proposals for legislation to implement his promise in the Dáil during the debate on the Estimate for his Department that the land rehabilitation project will be extended to provide for the restoration of the fertility of impoverished lands; and, if so, when the required proposal will be introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Rehabilitation Project.
I am not yet in a position to add to the statement I made on this subject on the 4th July when concluding the debate on the Estimate for Agriculture.
In view of the widespread interest which has been taken in this scheme, following the Minister's statement in concluding the debate on the Estimate for Agriculture, will the Minister take steps to have the scheme publicly advertised so that the people can avail of it?
I am gratified to discover that the widespread interest shown in the scheme, and the universal desire to avail of it, show that the advertisement already issued has been pretty adequate. I can assure the Deputy that if multitudes of people are interested, I shall take such steps as may be requested to secure that they are supplied with all reasonable information.
In the Minister's concluding statement he did not give any details of the scheme. In view of the interest which people are taking in the scheme, and of the fact that they are anxious to know the details of it, would it not be desirable that the Minister should advertise the details of it?
The Deputy will remember that he voted against the Estimates to which he now refers. Apart from that, a scheme is being drafted and the fullest publicity will be given to it at the earliest possible moment, the Deputy's disapproval notwithstanding.
Is the Minister aware that I have been demanding this scheme for two years and the Minister has flatly refused to accede to my request until he was forced to do so?
You must have gone into the wrong Lobby by mistake.