asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries by whom the detailed survey of the nursery industry announced in paragraph 5.90 of the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development was carried out; its cost; when a report is expected to be received; and the action taken on it by the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nursery Industry Survey.
72.
The appointment of a special body to report on the subject was not envisaged, the survey work being done primarily by the staffs of my Department and An Foras Talúntais as part of their investigatory and development functions, appropriate liaison being maintained with producer and trade interests, for example, through conferences, discussions and publications.
Could the Minister state if any detailed survey took place? Would it not be correct to say that what the Minister has referred to could be described as the normal activities of his Department and would not warrant announcement in the Third Programme and that when a detailed survey was announced in that programme presumably something special was in mind?
There is intensive research into this particular branch of horticulture being undertaken at present by An Foras Talúntais at Kinsealy. I saw this myself. I am not certain but I think documents are at present available to people interested in this type of development.