asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the injustice to and disappointment being experienced by applicants for voucher scheme day-old chicks in the Donegal Gaeltacht because of the fact that chicks ordered for February last have not yet been delivered, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Day-old Chick Scheme.
I regret that a particular Donegal hatchery failed to supply chicks to a few applicants at the time required. The matter is under investigation and while efforts will be made to ensure, as far as possible, that such delay does not recur I must point out that applicants are not obliged to obtain chicks from any one hatchery, but may get them from any hatchery on the approved list.
I might add that the demand for chicks in the Gaeltacht area of Donegal this season showed an increase of 54 per cent. over the demand last season and the bulk of these chicks were delivered by May 31st last.
Would the Minister agree, in view of the fact that orders are taken as far back as last autumn, that it should be easily possible for these people to make provision for the constant supply of the orders required?
I am inquiring into that, but I must direct the attention of the Deputy to the fact that those who receive vouchers for chicks are free to order chicks from any hatchery they like, and, if they order from a wrong hatchery, it seems a little hard that they should expect to make me responsible for their error of judgment.
Is it not obvious that the way to overcome this undue delay is to have the name of the hatchery written on the voucher?
No. I have the strongest possible conviction that it is no part of the duty of the Minister for Agriculture to tell his neighbours how to do their own business.