asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that flax was successfully grown in the Dingle Gaeltacht 100 years ago and whether he will take up the question of flax growing in this Gaeltacht immediately, with a view to establishing a linen factory in Dingle; furthermore, if he will give this matter urgent consideration in view of the fact that the emigration figure for the Dingle peninsula is one of the highest for the country.
Written Answers. - Flax Growing in Dingle Gaeltacht.
Mr. Walsh
I am aware that flax was widely grown throughout the country in the last century. Prices for flax grown last season were satisfactory, but a price for flax of the coming season's crop has not yet been settled and at present there is no guarantee that there will be a market for such quantities as may be grown here. I consider, therefore, that it would be undesirable to encourage farmers in the Dingle peninsula to devote land, which might be more profitably used for food production, to the growing of flax.