asked the Minister for Agriculture whether registered exporters of eggs who have sent consignments to the Spanish market have complained to him of their inability to secure payment for their consignments, and whether he will state what is the present position in regard to this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Eggs to Spain.
Dr. Ryan
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of 13th November last on this matter.
I have nothing to add at present to that reply beyond stating that negotiations are proceeding between the Spanish Government and our Government with a view to expediting the release of foreign exchange in payment for eggs exported to Spain from Saorstát Eireann.
Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that consignments which went to Spain last May have not yet been paid for?
Dr. Ryan
Not from my reply, and neither is it true.
My recollection of the reply made by the Minister on the occasion to which he refers, when I asked whether consignments of eggs shipped from Saorstát Eireann to Spain last May had yet been paid for, was that they had not yet been paid for, but that he was in communication with the Spanish Government with a view to getting foreign currency released.
Dr. Ryan
I do not think the Deputy is right in that.
Is the Minister sure?
Dr. Ryan
I do not think that I said last November that eggs sent in May had not been paid for. I said that no arrangements had been come to.
Surely there is no necessity for concealment? Would the Minister be good enough to inform us, quite frankly, when was the last consignment of eggs from Saorstát Eireann which has not yet been paid for?
Dr. Ryan
If the Deputy would put his question clearly, perhaps I could answer it. Does he want to know for how long payments are outstanding?
Yes.
Dr. Ryan
About three months.