asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the delay in granting approval to applications for farm building grants is a serious handicap to a large number of applicants who are anxious to have buildings completed for live stock and poultry before the coming winter; and if, in the exceptional circumstances, he will allow retrospective sanction for carrying out of works under the scheme.

I am not aware of any such handicap. If any person desires to proceed with building work independently of the farm building scheme, there is nothing to prevent him from doing so provided that he can secure the necessary materials.

I am not prepared to give retrospective sanction for carrying out works under this scheme. Grants under the scheme will be given only for the erection of buildings conforming to certain conditions as to design, method of construction and in the case of poultry houses, location of site. Accordingly, I cannot see my way to alter the condition of the scheme which requires that applicants for grants must obtain my written authority before commencing any work for which a grant is sought.

Will the Minister state when these grants, in fact, will be available?

There will be no constructional work done under the farm building scheme this year. Later on, as soon as we have caught up with the immense number of applications that were in the Department unattended to when I became responsible for it, we shall invite further applications and we hope to have constructional work under way on many thousands of them early next year.

When will the first inspections be carried out?

I could not say at this moment.

Is the suspension of a farm building scheme one of the economies which the Minister for Finance failed to mention when introducing his Budget?

No. The suspension of the farm building scheme is merely a reflection from another facet of the shocking incompetence of the previous Government.

Does the suspension represent a saving to the Exchequer?

Certainly, the confusion which I am trying to clear up represents a saving of neither time nor money for anybody.

Is the confusion similar to that which the Deputy created in London?

Twenty-two thousand unopened letters.

He was clearing up your mess in London.

I wonder was it in London the confusion was created.