asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of contractors or co-operatives who have availed of the EEC scheme to purchase land drainage equipment and if he has satisfied himself that an adequate stock of such equipment is available in the west to do all the required drainage work in the period of the EEC assisted scheme.
Written Answers. - Land Drainage Equipment.
330.
In accordance with Directive 78/628/EEC grant aid towards the purchase of land drainage machinery is confined to registered agricultural co-operatives. Approvals for the purchase of such machinery have issued to 26 co-operatives. I am satisfied that the investment represented by these approvals taken in conjunction with the machinery available in the hands of private contractors should ensure that the supply will be adequate to do the required work.