asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that there has been a general decrease in the amount of land under tillage following the failure to increase the price of barley this year; and that this decrease in tillage has adversely affected supplies of beet to the Irish Sugar Company; and if he will ensure that the price of barley for the coming year is increased so as to encourage a general increase in tillage and a better supply of beet.

As the sowing of tillage crops is only now getting under way and as barley can be sown up to the end of April, I am at a loss to know how the Deputy can state that there has been a general decrease in the amount of land under tillage this year. I have already announced an increase of 10/- a barrel for wheat, and the floor price for feeding barley was increased by 5/- a barrel as from last harvest.