asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the tonnage of ground limestone supplied to the farming community in the periods 1st November to 30th April in 1972-73 and 1973-74.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Ground Limestone Supplies.
13.
Deliveries of ground limestone to farmers totalled 1.086 million tons in the period 1st November to 30th April, 1972-73 and 0.780 million tons in the comparable period of 1973-74.
I might add that this decline in consumption is attributable mainly to the very wet weather prevailing from October to April last which rendered difficult the use of machinery for the spreading of ground limestone.
Is the Minister serious in suggesting that the weather was the main reason for the reduction by more than 33? per cent of the amount of ground limestone supplied in the two different periods? Can the Minister suggest any other reasons for the huge drop?
It certainly was not the increase in price. The price was increased by 15p per ton and I would not think that would deter a farmer from putting on lime.
Is the Minister seriously suggesting that the weather was the cause of this drop?
Yes I am.
Would the Minister not agree that just like the artificial insemination situation this is another clear indicator of total despair about the future among the Irish farmers?
The Deputy is expanding on the subject matter of this question.
It is people like Deputy Haughey who are creating despair, despondency and lack of confidence by statements of this sort.