asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is urgent need for better co-ordination of the work of the Agricultural Institute, the advisory services and the Faculty of Agriculture at UCD; and if he will take steps to ensure that these three will co-operate more closely for the benefit of the farming community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co-ordination of Agricultural Services.
46.
There is, in fact, considerable co-operation between the Agricultural Institute, the Faculty of Agriculture at University College, Dublin, and the advisory services. University College, Dublin, in common with the other University Colleges, has a representative on the Council of the Institute and is, therefore, in a position to influence its policy and to keep in close contact with its activities. Moreover, members of the College staff, as well as officers of the Department of Agriculture, serve on various technical committees of the Institute. A Liaison Committee comprising officers of the Institute and officers of my Department, with a special responsibility for advisory work, operates for the purpose of co-ordinating the work of the Institute and the advisory services. The Institute disseminates its research findings to the advisers through such media as seminars, conferences, scientific papers and research reports and it provides services for the advisers such as those for soil-testing, chemical analysis and the diagnosis of crop pests and diseases. Research workers from the Institute also provide specialised assistance in their own particular spheres as required by advisers from time to time. Advisers on the other hand co-operate with the Institute in the conduct of experimental work and surveys and in keeping the Institute apprised of problems which require investigation.