asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious difficulties confronting farmers in Louth and neighbouring counties as a result of long established grain intake companies in Louth having been placed in receivership recently; and if he has any proposals to avert the crisis.

In the case of one of the companies involved, I have been informed that grain from the coming harvest will be taken in as usual. I would hope that some similar arrangements can be made in other cases. Other traders in Louth and adjoining counties have, of course, very considerable grain handling and storage capacity.