andMr. T. Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in view of the decision to compensate wheat growers for their losses on this year's harvest (1) when the payment of this compensation will take place, and (2) how much per barrel the compensation will amount to.

45.

asked the Minister for Agriculture what amount it is proposed to give to wheat growers this year to offset their losses from weather conditions; and if he will state the method by which it is proposed to pay this sum.

46.

asked the Minister for Agriculture when the payments to wheat growers announced by him are going to be paid; and what amount per barrel they will represent.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 45 and 46 together.

Details as to the form and the amount of the additional payments to be made to wheat growers are in course of being worked out and will be announced at the earliest possible date.

Could the Minister give us any estimate of when that date will be? Will an announcement be made by the end of the year?

I could not say.

Is it seriously contended that the Minister cannot tell us within a month when the inquiry will be completed? Will it be announced before the end of the financial year?

I do not think forecasts of that kind are helpful to anyone and I am not in a position to make one now.

Surely I am entitled to ask the Minister can he give us any indication at all, if he can say whether it will be before the end of the calendar year or before the end of the financial year?

I shall make an announcement at the earliest possible date.

The Minister cannot say even approximately when that will be?

No.

The Minister's Department must be in a deplorable condition.