asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the tonnage of fertilisers sold by Northern Ireland merchants directly to farmers in the Republic in respect of the year ended 30th June, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Imports from Northern Ireland.
12.
No official information is available about any such direct sales. In the case of fertilisers containing phosphate, direct sales would not be attractive as they would not pass through our subsidy channels here.
Is the Minister aware there were such sales?
As made clear in the reply, subsidies would not be available on direct sales.
No nitrate manure is subsidised.
I heard the Deputy make that point last week, but the Department do not have any figures on this matter of direct sales.
Is the Minister aware there was an import of nitrogen, which is subsidised in Britain and in Northern Ireland? Could it be imported when a phosphate content fertiliser could not be due to the subsidy here for it?
On the information available to me there are no figures specifically held of direct sales in this area and, if the Deputy has any information on this matter, perhaps he would communicate with the Minister.
Is it in order for farmers to purchase fertilisers from merchants in Northern Ireland?
That is a separate question.
I am not in a position to answer the Deputy.
Question No. 13 is for written reply.