asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how much of the machinery of the land rehabilitation project has been sold to date and of such machinery sold, what proportion has been purchased by persons for use as contractors under the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Land Project Machinery.
Mr. Walsh
Tenders have been received in respect of all the machineryadvertised on 15th and 16th June last. Sales are practically complete in respect of all large units advertised as Group A, and are also in course of completion in respect of the individual items advertised as Group B. It is expected that all the machinery in Group A and most of the items in Group B will continue to be employed by contractors on land reclamation work.
In view of the fact that the Government are now contemplating the starting of relief works throughout the country to deal with unemployment, does the Minister think that he would be well advised to sell the machinery of the land project which gave so much employment?
That is an entirely separate question.
Mr. Walsh
I shall answer it if the Deputy wishes.
The Minister should not answer questions which the Chair says are not relevant to the question on the Order Paper.