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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 May 1965

Vol. 215 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Advisory Services.

19.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will explain why the advisory services of the Dublin County Committee of Agriculture are not available to the residents of Dublin city; and if he will take measures to extend these services to Dublin city and suburbs, particularly with regard to horticulture.

I understand that there are two reasons. One is that the advisory services operated by a committee of agriculture are provided for the benefit of the residents in the functional area of the committee, which is defined by statute as the county, excluding any urban districts comprised therein. The other reason is that residents outside the functional area of a committee of agriculture do not contribute to the committee's funds by means of a local rate levied for the purposes of its schemes.

Are there no facilities provided in Dublin city by the county committee of agriculture?

What sort of facilities?

Horticultural, amongst others.

I am Minister for Agriculture and responsible, as such, for the welfare of the farmers of Ireland.

What about horticulture?

I do not think my responsibilities should extend to people residing in urban areas.

Is the Minister aware that an arrangement existed for a considerable time whereby the Dublin County Committee of Agriculture provided this service?

It did at one time. My mother, I know, availed of it for her gooseberry bushes.

It is only because the corporation refused to pay the small contribution at that time that it was dropped.

I have mentioned that aspect in my reply as one of the difficulties.

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