asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the distribution of artificial manures in Connemara and the Aran Islands has ceased as a result of a strike in Galway City; and, if so, whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, his Department will undertake to organise distribution of supplies from other supply centres.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Artificial Manures.
I am aware that owing to labour trouble the manufacture of compound potato manure at the Galway factory has been suspended, but I understand that the management is offering superphosphate, potash and sulphate of ammonia so that farmers may mix their own compounds.
The Deputy's suggestion in the second part of his question seems to be based on the assumption that there are surplus supplies available elsewhere. As the fertiliser manufacturing season is now drawing to a close I do not think the Deputy's assumption is well founded.
Will the Minister say if his Department has had any reports of the urgent need for supplies being brought into some of the Connemara areas for the present crop? It is the urgency of the matter that I want to impress on the Minister. Of course we all know the cause. The question is: can the Minister get round the cause?
Is the Deputy not aware that there are supplies of superphosphate, potash and sulphate of ammonia available in the City of Galway at this moment?
Is the Minister aware that as a result of the strike farmers are unable to get these supplies out to them? I want the Minister to get around the effects of the strike by getting supplies available to the people before it is too late.
I think the Deputy is misinformed. The manufacture of compound potato manure has been suspended as a result of the strike. The supply of superphosphate, potash and sulphate of ammonia has not been interrupted and therefore the Department's officers have suggested to the people depending on Galway for their supplies that they should bring home superphosphate, potash and sulphate of ammonia and mix their own potato manure on their own holdings.
The point I want to bring to the attention of the Minister is that on account of the refusal of the handling organisation to handle the stuff the people cannot get it.
I do not know what the Deputy refers to.
The strikers will not handle the manure, and the people cannot get it.
They have only to drive into Galway and draw out of Messrs. MacDonagh's establishment, and, doubtless, the establishments of many other merchants, ample supplies of superphosphate of lime, sulphate of ammonia and muriate of potash, and there is no let or hindrance on any farmer or group of farmers who desire to do that. If the Deputy will help by telling them that if they go to Galway they can get abundant supplies of these and mix them at home, he will be doing a useful service for his neighbours and others.