asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will consider allowing a quota of pure maize meal to merchants in the congested areas where this meal is used as human food during the months of May, June and July until the potato crop ripens.

I cannot accept the view that the people of the congested areas should be required to depend on maize meal as a significant element of their diet, and I would remind the Deputy that adequate quantities of wheaten flour and bread made therefrom are provided for every household on a subsidised basis. I would be obliged if the Deputy would give me particulars of any case where maize meal constitutes a substantial element in the diet of any family, so that urgent measures may be taken to relieve any such distress, which, so far as I am aware, has not been manifest in recent times either in the congested areas or in any other part of the country.