§ 33. Mr. LOUGHasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture 2129 (Ireland) whether he received an application from the Killeshandra Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society, Limited, on the 23rd January last for a loan of £l,000 under the scheme which the Department have inaugurated for the purchase of agricultural machinery in Ireland; whether he is aware that no definite reply has yet been made to this application; and, if so, how the Department hopes to secure an increased area of tillage if proposals duly presented are not promptly dealt with now when undue delays in these matters may jeopardise the food production scheme, with consequent loss and danger to the nation?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture received the application referred to and have informed the society as to the conditions attached to the scheme of loans for the purchase of agricultural implements and machinery. Any member of the society complying with the conditions of the scheme may obtain a loan for the purpose. The society's letter of 23rd January was duly replied to by the Department, who asked for further details in regard to the application in order to place them in a position to deal with the matter.