asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether, during the present Session, he will consider the urgent necessity of introducing legislation to provide State aid to bring about a revival of the flax and linen industries in the country, and thereby put our idle mills in operation, and absorb a large number of our unemployed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - REVIVAL OF FLAX AND LINEN INDUSTRIES.
The further extension of flax growing in the Saorstát is one involving the consideration of several important factors, including especially the question as to the extent of the present demand for such flax by the Irish linen industry.
Schemes are already in operation, under which instruction is given to farmers in the cultivation of the crop, and to mill-owners in the scutching and subsequent treatment of the fibre. The area under flax in the Saorstát last year showed a considerable increase on the figures of the previous year, and the estimated acreage for the current year shows that a still further increase has taken place, and that the present acreage is above the average acreage of the ten years preceding the European War. The question as to how far further State action in the matter may be desirable is being carefully considered.