Vol. 352 No. 8
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the reduction in the amount of ground limestone being purchased by Irish farmers as a result of the termination of the ground limestone subsidy since 1 May 1984, and in view of the effects of this reduction on the ground limestone industry, if he would provide for the reintroduction of the subsidy.
680.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will reconsider his decision to terminate the ground limestone subsidy, in view of the detrimental effect it will have on agricultural productivity.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.
Sales of ground limestone are always seasonally light during the summer months and may have been further influenced this year by the fact that sales were exceptionally high in March and April before the subsidy ended. The position about the subsidy was clarified in a public statement which I issued in August.
