Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jul 1974

Vol. 274 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Sales.

17.

Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the tonnage of the compound fertilisers 5.5.10, 10.10.20, 0.10.20, 0.7.30 and 18.6.12 sold to farmers for the years ended 30th June in 1973 and in 1974.

18.

Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the tonnage of nitrogen fertiliser sold to farmers for the years ended 30th June in 1973 and in 1974.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together and, as the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

	Tonnage sold, year ended 30/6/73	Tonnage sold, year ended 30/6/74
Compound fertilisers:
5.5.10	66,324	48,728
10.10.20	228,853	213,936
0.10.20	153,069	160,990
0.7.30	41,283	52,176
18.6.12	66,932	61,103
	556,461	536,933
Nitrogenous fertilisers:
Calcium ammonium nitrate	177,071	202,170
Sulphate of ammonia	13,840	7,060
Urea	66,919	30,000
		(estimated)
Other (15.5% N)	—	2,500

Mr. Cunningham

Could I ask if the information is lengthy?

Mr. M.P. Murphy

Rather lengthy.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 19.

Mr. Crinion

Is the tonnage lower this year than it was in 1973?

Mr. M.P. Murphy

It is slightly lower: from 556,461 to 536,933.

Mr. J. Gibbons

Do those figures cover all types of nitrate manure and urea?

Mr. M.P. Murphy

They cover compound fertilisers. The position in regard to nitrogenous fertilisers is somewhat similar.

Mr. J. Gibbons

Hold on.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

The answer will be circulated in the form of a tabular statement.

Mr. J. Gibbons

The Parliamentary Secretary is being too clever by half.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

The Deputy is deliberately holding up the House.

Mr. J. Gibbons

The question is about nitrogenous fertilisers, not compounds. Tell us about nitrogenous compounds, please.

An Ceann Comhairle

The question is in respect of compound fertilisers.

Mr. J. Gibbons

The question before the House is a very simple one.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

Calcium ammonium nitrate, 177,071 tons last year. This year the tonnage was 202,170.

Mr. J. Gibbons

What is the Parliamentary Secretary talking about? Is he talking about nitrates or compounds?

Mr. M.P. Murphy

I am talking about calcium ammonium nitrate.

Mr. J. Gibbons

Only?

Mr. M.P. Murphy

Only.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 19.

Mr. J. Gibbons

It took a long time to get that information from the Parliamentary Secretary.

Mr. Leonard

Would the Parliamentary Secretary and the Department——

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 19.

Mr. Crinion

We got no supplementaries on this.

Mr. Leonard

I put down two questions and I have not got one supplementary.

Mr. G. Collins

On a point of order——

An Ceann Comhairle

We have heard references to points of order which were not points of order.

Mr. G. Collins

I will get it in this way. Can you tell me whether Deputy Leonard who put down the questions which were answered is entitled to ask a supplementary question?

An Ceann Comhairle

I have allowed a number of suplementaries on a reply which was in the form of a tabular statement.

Mr. Leonard

If it was in the form of a tabular statement why did the Parliamentary Secretary give us some information?