asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) what arrangements, if any, have been made by his Department with the Irish Sugar Company, Limited, for the delivery and spreading of ground limestone under his subsidy scheme by the company's lime spreaders; (2) if he is aware that this company have about 80 lime-spreading lorries, that they spread the lime at 5/- per ton, that farmers using these lime-spreading facilities are deprived of any benefit under his subsidy scheme, and, if so, (3) if he is prepared, failing any agreement between the sugar company and himself, to allow the farmer making use of this method of delivery and spreading of lime the amount of the delivery subsidy on production of the sugar company receipt.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spreading of Lime.
Discussions are taking place between the Irish Sugar Company and Córas Iompair Éireann with a view to enabling farmers who purchase lime from the sugar company and who desire to avail themselves of the company's spreading service to participate in the subsidy scheme. I am confident that a satisfactory arrangement will be reached.
Will the Minister now guarantee that he will make restitution to the people who have been drawing that lime for the past two months who would be entitled to subsidy in the ordinary way? The Minister will remember that a fortnight ago, on his Vote for Agriculture, he interrupted me to tell me that this matter was now fixed up. Apparently, it is not fixed up yet. I phoned them yesterday and could not get the lime. Will he now make restitution to these people or will he guarantee that the people who have been drawing lime for the past two months will get the subsidy?
I am not prepared to add anything to the final sentence in my answer, that I am confident that a satisfactory arrangement will be reached, save this, that inasmuch as I am satisfied that the managements of the sugar company and of Córas Iompair Éireann are as anxious as I am to make this lime distribution scheme a success, I have no doubt that in consultation they will resolve their difficulties. May I suggest to the Deputy that the best contribution that could be made to that amicable settlement would be to forbear from making it the subject of tendentious discussion in this House?
Will the Minister make retrospective payment to those who, for the past three months, have been drawing this lime?
I am afraid I have nothing to add.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I will, with your permission, Sir, raise this matter on the Adjournment.