asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the average price per ton paid for ground limestone during Autumn, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ground Limestone Price.
54.
Under my Department's ground limestone transport subsidy scheme the maximum permissible price for ground limestone delivered to farmers was £1.10 per ton throughout 1973. So far as I can ascertain, limestone producers were charging this maximum price during autumn 1973.
Is the Minister in a position to state if it is true that there has been a sharp fall-off in the use of limestone?
I have no information that there is a sharp fall.
Has the Minister anything in his brief to that effect?
No.
Would the Minister be good enough in his own time to make inquiries into this matter?
I do not know if it is possible to have up-to-date statistics until the end of the year.
I appreciate that. That is why I am asking the Minister to make the inquiries in his own time. Perhaps he might let me know if it is true.
If there is a drop in the use of lime, there is no good reason for it, as the Deputy knows. There is nothing I can do about it.
Would the Minister not agree that if there is a drop in the use of limestone there must be some reason?
Can the Deputy suggest what reason there might be?
The Minister has all the technical experts to elicit information.
The price of lime is low and the full transport costs are paid by the Department. If the farmers decide not to use it, I do not know what I can do.
Would the Minister be kind enough to venture an opinion at some stage, on his own behalf or on behalf of his Department, why there is a decline in the use of limestone, if this is the case?
I have no information it is so at present.
Will the Minister please check it out?
I will have a look at it.