asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the estimated lime deficiency in the soil in this country; and what steps are being taken to have the deficiency corrected.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Soil Lime Deficiency.
95.
The position has not changed significantly since July, 1970, when I informed the Deputy that the latest estimate was that the annual application of 2 million tons of ground limestone would be required to meet demands imposed by present trends in tillage acreage and livestock numbers.
Steps being taken to increase lime use include the ground limestone transport subsidy scheme, the fertiliser credit scheme operated in conjunction with the land project, the provision of soil sampling and testing services as well as promotion by the general agricultural advisory services and through the Department's leaflets et cetera.
Can the Minister tell the House what is the present estimate of lime deficiency in the soil?
I am afraid I have not got that figure. Furthermore, in the absence of a comprehensive soil survey of the whole country, I doubt if any estimate of any value could be made. Without such a survey it is impossible to determine lime requirements.
Does the Minister seriously say that in this day and age he cannot tell the House the estimated lime deficiency in the soil? We are talking about going into Europe. We will be the laughing stock of Europe if we cannot put a figure on lime deficiency.
The Deputy is making a statement.
With respect, I also put a question. Does the Minister not realise that a figure of 2 million tons was quoted two years ago? What steps have been taken since to remedy the deficiency?
I have enumerated the steps taken by the Department. The Deputy will appreciate that we do not have the information about the acidity or alkalinity of the soil generally and, in the absence of that information, it is impossible to make any worthwhile estimate of our lime requirements.
Why do we not have it?
Because it is an enormously expensive operation to undertake. I know the Agricultural Institute have done comprehensive soil surveys in Carlow and in certain areas in Connacht, but the whole country has not been covered comprehensively by such a survey.
Does the Minister not appreciate that even a man looking at the fields and hills can guess pretty accurately? I can guess——
The Deputy is making a statement.
——within two or three stone what lime is required.
I do not agree with the Deputy that it is possible to determine the degree of acidity just by looking over the ditch.
A pretty good guess can be made.
Martin Corry was the only one that could do that.
He could divide land with the lights of a car.
Is Deputy O'Hara waiting for a reply?
I am.
The Deputy must realise that it is not possible to determine the condition of any soil without a laboratory test. I myself, and I am sure he has had the same experience, have been very surprised by the Ph. results I have got from my own land. It is not possible to determine lime requirements by glancing over the ditch. Things just do not work that way.
Does the Minister not appreciate that hill land, without any soil test whatever, clearly shows there is a serious lime deficiency and what steps does the Minister propose to take to try to correct that situation? Will we go into Europe with a serious lime deficiency in our soil?
That is a separate question.
I have already enumerated them.