asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the findings of An Foras Talúntais as published in the volume A Review of Drumlin Soil Research he will declare the western part of the Drumlin soil belt in the counties Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal to be a region for special development so that the further development that the review advises may be better undertaken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drumlin Soil Belt.
8.
The problems of the Drumlin soil area are already receiving special attention in the context of the Pilot Area Programme and western development generally. The Report published recently by An Foras Talúntais is mainly a summary of experimental work which is still proceeding. My Department is keeping in close contact with the work, with particular reference to the possibility of developing special drainage techniques suitable for the area.
Is it not a fact that there has been for many years in operation in the Department of Agriculture a special drainage scheme devised in the light of the knowledge which is available to the Department of the peculiar trouble in the soil situation obtaining in County Leitrim?
I am afraid I missed the beginning of the Deputy's question.
Is it not a fact that there has been for many years in operation in the Department a special drainage scheme devised for the special conditions arising from the Drumlin soil situation in County Leitrim?
Whatever about what is now operating the Deputy will, I think, agree that the report published by An Foras Talúntais is an interesting report and that it may give us further ways in which we may improve the techniques that have been specially devised for this area.
Does the Minister not think that it is of some importance to emphasise that the Department of Agriculture have been conscious of this special soil problem and have in fact an exceptionally devised drainage procedure for County Leitrim to meet these Drumlin soil conditions with which they have been familiar for many years?
This is true but I did not think it was important to emphasise it.
I think it is always important to emphasise the excellence of the Department of Agriculture.