asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state with particular reference to paragraph 4.19 of the Report of the Committee on Review of State Expenditure in relation to Agriculture, if since the presentation of the report further studies have been undertaken into the marginal productivities of different inputs on farms of different sizes and types; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Production.
55.
Studies of the productivity of fertiliser and other inputs are carried out from time to time by An Foras Talúntais as part of their normal research programmes and the results of these are disseminated through the advisory service and otherwise. I understand that additional studies of the kind mentioned by the Deputy may be undertaken by An Foras in connection with the processing of farm survey data.
56.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he intends to initiate studies, on a regular basis, of the trends in each region or county of the relationship between inputs of State aid to agriculture and resultant increases in farmers' incomes; if any such studies have already been carried out; and if these resulted in any changes in Government policy.
Such studies are not contemplated at present as the necessary basic data are not available on a county or regional basis.
Would the Minister not agree that studies of this nature were recommended in the
They are not available. report of the committee of review on State expenditure in relation to agriculture and would he say if they are feasible?
Why were they recommended by prominent officers of the Department if they are not feasible?
I did not say they were not feasible. I said they are not available.
Why?
Because they have not been made.
Why have they not been made if they have been recommended by officers of the Department?
He does not even know the answer.
He does not even know what he is reading out.
He is a bit confused this weather. You know, he has been known to contradict himself before.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.