asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will introduce legislation to ensure that farmers who build poultry houses under the present poultry development scheme will be exempted from paying rates on those buildings to the county council.

As the law stands, all farm buildings, including those used for poultry production, are free from rates for seven years after erection. Moreover, if a poultry house has been erected with the aid of a grant under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts, it is free from rates for 20 years after erection. In view of this very substantial relief, and the fact that large grants from public funds are being given under the poultry development scheme towards the building of various types of poultry accommodation, I would not feel justified in recommending the introduction of legislation of the nature suggested by the Deputy.

Will the Minister state if cement and timber will be made available for the erection of poultry houses under this scheme?

That is a separate question.

Perhaps the Deputy would put down a question to my colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce who, I am sure, will consider it sympathetically.