asked the Minister for Agriculture whether a decision has yet been arrived at regarding the granting of loans to Wicklow farmers who lost stock during the snow storm in March last, and, if so, if he will state the terms on which such loans will be made, and if not, whether in view of the hardship which these losses have inflicted on the farmers concerned, he will make an announcement in the matter before the Dáil adjourns for the summer recess.

I am not in a position at the moment to say more than that a scheme of loans is at present under consideration, and that there will be as little delay as possible in dealing with the matter so far as the Department of Agriculture are concerned.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, might I bring to the Minister's notice that that is practically the same reply as I received the last day I asked a similar question?

That is so.

I should like to impress on the Minister that to those farmers concerned it is a matter of very great importance and they are very anxious to know whether the Government really intend to do something or not; but they do want a definite answer.

All I can say is that the Minister has the matter under consideration and there will be as little delay as possible.