den Aire Talmhaíochta an bhfuil réiteach ar bith socair aige bia saor a chur ar fáil do eallach na gceantar bocht de chois farraige, go háithrid do eallach bainne, mar bhí mórán féir caillte sna ceantair sin i mbliana siocair an fhliuchlaigh agus an drochaimsir, i gcruth go mbeidh ganntanas ann san Earrach.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bia do Eallach.
D'fhiafraigh
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the people in South Kerry have been seriously affected by the bad harvest conditions, especially in respect of hay and fodder for animal feeding, and that acute distress is likely to arise amongst the people of the mountainous districts, and whether he will prepare a scheme which will tide the people of these areas over the difficult winter period and enable them to preserve their stock, on which they mostly depend for a livelihood, by the provision of feeding stuffs under the Marshall Plan or otherwise.
Mr. Maguire
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what steps he proposes to take in dealing with the serious position occasioned by the unfavourable harvest conditions, especially in regard to hay saving, and if he will make a statement immediately on this matter, as delay can only result in a big financial loss to the farming community and disastrous consequences to the future milk and store cattle industry.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 27, 29 and 30 together.
I am aware that owing to bad harvest conditions the quantity and quality of hay available this year is not as satisfactory as in previous years. The position, however, is not so critical as some people may be led to believe. Live stock need not die from starvation. There are ample supplies of alternative feeding stuffs available and these may be used to supplement the limited supplies of hay, together with measures to promote early growth of grass in the spring and scrupulous economy of available supplies of fodder with careful economy of foggage. In the circumstances, I do not propose to introduce a special scheme for the supply of feeding stuffs to particular areas.