Patrick D. Harte
Question:45 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the up-to-date position on the proposal to grow flax in County Donegal; if any grants have been paid; if so, to whom; and the purpose of each payment.
Written Answers. - County Donegal Flax Growing Project.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Dáil question on this matter in March 1990 (Volume 397, column 989 of the Official Report of 22 March 1990).
As I indicated in that reply, a sum of £45,000 was made available in 1989 for the Donegal pilot flax growing project out of the science and technology sub-programme of the operational programme for industry. The up-to-date position is that, following a review of the pilot project in 1990, it was decided that further funding could not be justified under the terms of the science and technology sub-programme.
A meeting of the representatives of all the agencies having an involvement with the pilot project was held at which it was agreed that the future of the flax project could best be progressed within an overall co-ordinated national programme under the auspices of Teagasc. In the circumstances, my Department do not have responsibility for the further development of this project.
Details of the payment of £45,000 were contained in my reply of 22 March 1990.