asked the Minister for Agriculture whether for the protection of wheat crops against midge infection his Department imported at least three tons of D.D.T. and, if so, if he is aware that a Galway company, the original manufacturers of this product, had adequate supplies available for the needs of the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insecticide Imports.
There is no foundation for the suggestion that D.D.T. was imported by my Department. What the Department did was to make inquiries among the principal distributors of D.D.T. preparations, including the manufacturer referred to by the Deputy, as to the availability of these preparations with a view to confirming that stocks would be adequate in the event of a severe attack of wheat midge.
Is the Minister aware that where the crop was treated with D.D.T. the midge was still in evidence?
Mr. Walsh
The midge is not doing any harm at the present time.
It is doing harm.
Was it true that large quantities of D.D.T. preparations were imported when a Galway firm had on hands supplies quite adequate to deal with the emergency that existed?
Mr. Walsh
The Department of Agriculture imported no D.D.T. preparations.
The Minister probably saw a notice in the papers to the effect that the Department of Agriculture imported large quantities of D.D.T. preparations and the remonstrances of the Galway firm that they had available supplies. Was that a mistaken report?
Mr. Walsh
It was. We contradicted it the following day.
There was no truth in it?
Mr. Walsh
No.
Is the Minister aware that Imperial Chemicals have supplied the Department of Agriculture with supplies against a western firm?
Mr. Walsh
The Department of Agriculture have no supplies and had no supplies at any time except for experimental purposes.
I am sorry to contradict the Minister. Imperial Chemicals have supplied that chemical against a western firm.
Mr. Walsh
We have no supplies whatsoever in the Department of Agriculture except those held for experimental purposes.