asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the Government's call to farmers to increase agricultural production by 6 per cent a year and in view of the decline in the use of lime recorded in his recent circular to county committees of agriculture, he proposes to effect increased lime utilisation by farmers either through subsidies or grants.

It is not proposed to give additional financial aids for the provision of lime to farmers.

Does the Minister not agree that the use of lime has been reduced and that if you want to get a 6 per cent increase it is important that lime be made available cheaper than it is at present?

I agree with the Deputy that the use of lime is important if we are to get the full value out of application of other fertilisers. In this context we wrote to the county committees looking for support to promote the increased use of fertilisers. We did point out in that communication that there was an increase of 3 per cent in the use of lime in 1975. This year the signs are that there is a fairly substantial increase in lime usage.

Is the Minister satisfied that adequate supplies of lime are available in certain areas of Carlow and Wexford?

There are no complaints from any part of the country that lime is not available.

Would the Minister consider removing the 30-mile restriction qualification for the lime subsidy to those who operate lime quarries? It is operating to the detriment of some quarries, particularly in the west.

I am not aware that the position has changed and that fewer quarries are now in business. The west has been doing extremely well on lime prices because of a competitive situation that arose there.

Would the Minister accept that the 30-mile restriction operates to the detriment of some quarries in areas where the land may be surrounded by lakes or mountains?

Whatever substance there may be in the Deputy's question has always been there.