asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that maltsters generally throughout the Saorstát have received notice from Messrs. A. Guinness and Son, Dublin, stating that they will not require as much malt as in previous years; whether he is also aware that the demand this year for malt generally will be approximately 15 per cent. less; and whether steps will be taken to find a ready market for any surplus barley.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MARKET FOR SURPLUS BARLEY.
I have no information as to the notice referred to in the first part of the question. I understand, however, that it is currently rumoured that the quantity of barley required for malting purposes in the Saorstát this season will be less than that of last year by approximately 10 per cent. Until such time as maltsters have completed their purchases and shippers have secured sufficient barley to fill their orders it is not possible to say whether any surplus of barley of malting quality will remain on growers' hands. Meantime, in view of the probable curtailment of the demand for barley for malting purposes—a curtailment which is not limited to this country—barley growers would, in the Department's opinion, be well advised to take advantage of the alternative outlet afforded them by keeping a greater proportion of their barley than has hitherto been their practice, and utilising it for feeding pigs and other farm stock.
Would the Minister undertake to make representations to the Maltsters' Association on the point raised by Deputy Aird, and also on the advisability of guaranteeing grain growers a reasonable price for what they have to sell?
Mr. HOGAN
Does the Deputy want me to make representations to Messrs. Guinness that they should take more barley than they require? That is what it amounts to.
I suggest that representations should be made by you, and that the matter should be inquired into to find out if there are good grounds for the complaint raised by Deputy Aird in the question, and on the more important question of giving these people a reasonable price.
It should be 30/- a barrel for barley if possible. I understand that it will be only 16/- a barrel this year. That certainly will not pay the farmers. At least something over £1 should be paid. I would like the Minister to do something to help us out. A good deal of barley was sown this year, because as a result of sugar beet production the acreage under barley has increased.
Mr. HOGAN
Surely I cannot tell Messrs. Guinness or any other firm what barley they require for their own business. Neither can I tell Messrs. Guinness or any other firm what price they should give for what they require.
You could do what you have done in the case of the beet growers.
Mr. HOGAN
Guarantee a price?
Certainly.
Mr. HOGAN
At the expense of the taxpayer.
If you did it for one you could do it for the other.
Why should they not pay a higher price, considering the high price of drink? Why should Guinness not pay the same price for barley now as they used to pay, and why do they import barley and malt?
Mr. HOGAN
Unfortunately I have not yet acquired a controlling interest in Messrs. Guinness. I am doing my best.