asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the seed potatoes delivered to the Aran Islands, County Galway have been found to be diseased; and if he will make a refund to those supplied with them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Potatoes.
47.
Some seed potatoes supplied to smallholders on the Aran Islands under arrangements operated by my Department were found to be partly defective.
The supplier of the seed has now paid a sum by way of recoupment to the Department and an appropriate refund will be made to the growers at an early date.
Could the Minister state what was the name of the disease these potatoes were affected by?
It is a disease called gangrene. The infection takes place at harvest time but it is not apparent until subsequently in storage.