asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has received a letter from the County Cavan Committee of Agriculture about the possible shortage of seed potatoes during the coming spring; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Representations in this matter were received from the County Cavan Committee of Agriculture, and I caused inquiries to be made locally with a view to ascertaining the position. These inquiries go to show that, whilst a small proportion of the potato crop which remained undug was seriously damaged by frost, and a portion of the crop which was stored suffered damage, these difficulties have led farmers to conserve supplies to a greater extent than usual and, accordingly, it is not at present anticipated that there will be a serious shortage of seed in the county. Special inquiries were made by officers of the Department as to conditions in North-West Cavan and provision has been made for the supply at reduced rates of 100 tons of seed potatoes in that area.