asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the cause of the hold-up in the delivery ground limestone in the West Cork area, and why it has not been delivered to persons who have completed work under the land rehabilitation project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ground Limestone Deliveries.
West Cork and some other parts of the country have proved difficult to deal with mainly because of the very considerable haulage problem occasioned by the long distance of these areas from the sources of supply. The problem is aggravated by the fact that in many land project cases the quantities to be spread are very small and the splitting of loads is necessary. It also happens that some farmers refuse to take delivery except at a time to suit their own convenience and consequent rearrangement of deliveries is difficult. Finally, there is the position that supplying companies are overloaded with orders to meet seasonal cropping requirements and the natural tendency is for the producers to give priority to such orders. I can assure the Deputy that this matter is being kept constantly under review and that everything possible is being done to improve the position in West Cork and in the other districts similarly circumstanced.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary state that quantities less than five tons are delivered in West Cork?
No. I have not stated any particular quantity.