asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what steps he is taking to make available to the farmers a sufficient supply of spring seed wheat; if he is aware that many farmers were unable, owing to the wet winter, to get seed for winter varieties sown in time, and if they are to grow wheat this year they must now secure seed of the spring-sown varieties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spring Seed Wheat Supplies.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that farmers are being asked as much as £2 5s. 0d. a barrel for spring seed wheat, and if he can take any steps to ensure that such seed wheat will be available, for the benefit of the farmers, at a much lesser price than that quoted.
Dr. Ryan
I propose to take questions 25 and 26 together. I am aware that there is an extra demand for spring seed wheat this season and that the price has risen to £2 per barrel and upwards. I am not in a position to interfere as regards the regulation of price but, in order to relieve the situation to some extent, I have agreed to extend up to the 10th instant the period for the importation of varieties which normally should be sown not later than the middle of this month and to allow the importation of the variety "April Red" up to the middle of April.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, has the wheat increased to £2 per barrel or by £2 per barrel?
Dr. Ryan
To £2 per barrel.
The Minister must be living in a fool's paradise. A fortnight ago "Red Marvel" was 47/6 in Dublin and they could not supply it.
Dr. Ryan
But I said 40/- and upwards.
Well why not quote the actual price—47/6; and it cannot be got at that. The Minister extends permission for importing. Does not the Minister know the position?
Dr. Ryan
Of course I do.
It cannot be bought in England. Is not that the position?
Dr. Ryan
Not at all.
I will go around with the Minister now to every seedsman in the City of Dublin, and it will be found they have not an ounce of "Red Marvel," and they cannot buy it. Is not that the position? The Minister knows that better than I do. That is the fact, and silence gives consent.
Dr. Ryan
I am not silent at all. I was waiting for the Deputy to finish.
Will the Minister state what is the reason for the extra demand for spring wheat this year?
Dr. Ryan
The success of our campaign.