asked the Minister for Agriculture the amounts by which grants had been increased for land project work; and to what date these increases are to be retrospective.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Project Grants.
26.
The matters raised in the Deputy's question are at present under consideration and I hope to be able to make an announcement on the position shortly.
Could the Minister explain then what he had in mind last week when he made a smart remark here in the House that I was not sufficiently up-to-date in my agricultural knowledge and that he had already made an announcement about this matter, giving the impression that he had, in fact, increased the grants.
I have already announced that it is the intention to increase the maximum grants which can be made available under the Land Bill. I have announced that publicly on a number of occasions.
How long ago?
It is some months ago—two months ago. I was very distressed that Deputy Clinton who purports to take an active interest in agriculture does not give sufficient attention to my public announcements.
Can I ask the Minister how long his consideration of this important matter is likely to take, in view of the fact that these grants have been totally inadequate for a considerable time?
I would not agree they are totally inadequate at all. In a considerable number of cases they are quite adequate. In some cases they are inadequate and it is to cope with these exceptional cases that it is proposed to increase the grant. As I said, I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
When? What does "very shortly" mean?
It means soon.
The Minister will make the announcement at the next dog fight, dance or fiesta he attends.
Could the Minister tell me whether it will be before the end of the month?
(Interruptions.)
All I can say is I would ask the Deputies on the other side of the House to study the announcements I make.
We still would not know the position.