asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a Press report of a statement made by Deputy Dillon at the Fine Gael Ard-Fheis to the effect that when the inter-Party Government went into office there was not enough ground limestone in the country to fill an eggcup but when it was leaving there was enough to supply every farmer with it at 16/- a ton delivered to his gate; and if he will indicate (a) the plans made for the distribution of ground limestone and the number of plants in operation on 18th February, 1948, and (b) the number of plants in operation and tons of ground limestone distributed in each of the years 1948 to 1953 inclusive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Production and Distribution of Ground Limestone.
Mr. Walsh
I have seen the report referred to by the Deputy. Two plants were in operation on the 18th February, 1948, and at that date proposals for the large scale production of ground limestone and for subsidising the cost of the material to farmers were under consideration by the Departments concerned.
Particulars of the quantities of ground limestone distributed in the years prior to the subsidy scheme are not available. The figures for the years 1951-52 and 1952-53 are as follows:—
|
Number of plants in operation on the 31st March, 1952 |
17 |
|
Number of plants in operation on the 31st March, 1953 |
26 |
|
Quantity of ground limestone delivered in year ended 31st March, 1952 |
280,000 tons |
|
Quantity of ground limestone delivered in year ended 31st March, 1953 |
502,000 |
Can the Minister say if back in February 1948 the Government had given its approval to the proposal for the expansion of the ground limestone industry and, secondly, if provision was made for the payment of a subsidy on ground limestone at that time?
Mr. Walsh
Proposals had been accepted by the Government for the expansion of the ground limestone industry in 1947 and arrangements were put in train for the erection of two plants of 100,000 tons capacity each. There was also provision made for a subsidy of 10/- a ton.
Could the Minister tell us the names of the two plants that were operating in February, 1948? Could he perhaps tell us the reason for the delay in implementing these mighty plants that he speaks of? Was it perhaps that he was too busy improvising with the bicycle wheel and the medicine bottle?
Mr. Walsh
There were two plants in operation in County Carlow in 1948 and prior to that. Carlow County Council had applied for a subsidy in 1944 and it was granted in 1945. Notwithstanding the introduction of the subsidy by the Fianna Fáil Government in 1947 the Deputy objected to the subsidy and withdrew it against the wishes of seven county committees of agriculture.
Would the Minister give me the names of the two plants in Carlow?
Mr. Walsh
I have already given the number of plants producing ground limestone.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Cogan.
Is the Minister aware that he told me yesterday that his predecessor in office on the 21st December, 1948, had withdrawn the subsidy on ground limestone?
Mr. Walsh
That is quite true—on the 21st December, 1948.