asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he will give the subsidy of 10/- per ton on any supplies of foreign superphosphate that may be imported this year consequent on the removal of the customs tariff on artificial manures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Superphosphates.
It is not proposed to pay a subsidy on imports of foreign superphosphate in addition to removing the customs duty on such imports.
Will the Minister kindly tell me in the name of God what was the use of the Minister for Finance taking off the tariff if the Minister for Agriculture is going to clap another one on the same day?
It is not clapped on. It is left on.
Does it not amount to the same thing to pay a bounty of 10/- on one class of superphosphates, and to penalise Belgian superphosphates by refusing to pay the bounty upon it? Is there any sense or meaning in the Executive Council taking the bounty off one thing and putting it on another thing? What merchant will seek to get supplies of Belgian superphosphates with any enthusiasm if he knows that when he goes to sell them to his customers he will have to charge them 10/- more than the superphosphates produced by the Irish ring?
If there is an Irish ring, they ought to be able to sell at a less cost.
Does the Minister seriously suggest that merchants are going to try to get supplies of Belgian superphosphates if they know that they must charge customers 10/- more for them than what is available from the Irish ring?
We do not know what the price of the imported phosphates will be.
The cheaper the better. Why not give people who are prepared to put out superphosphates the benefit as the House intended?
The House did not intend that.
Was the 10/- bounty authorised by this House for the benefit of the Irish manure ring or as an inducement to farmers to put superphosphates on their land? Surely it was for the latter purpose. If for the latter purpose, why do you refuse to give it, seeing that the Irish ring cannot supply superphosphates, while supplies from Belgium could be made available?
The subsidy was for the benefit of the farmers and it was voted by this House for Irish manufacture.
Surely if the Irish manufacturers cannot supply superphosphates you are not going to refuse the benefit to those who bring in superphosphates from abroad? It is admitted that supplies cannot be got from the Irish sources. Is it common sense then to refuse the bounty on supplies from Belgium if we can get them, and prevent farmers using them to increase tillage?
Could the Minister give any idea as to the respective prices of superphosphates?
Can the Minister assure the country that there will be adequate supplies of Irish manufactured superphosphates available for its requirements this year?
I am not satisfied, and I have stated publicly several times during the last few months that there would not be adequate supplies.
Then why in the name of heaven are you preventing adequate supplies coming in at the same price, and with the same facilities that the Irish product gets? We want it here; it is a necessity. This year it is a double necessity and that is the reason I agreed with your order. Why do you not help the people who will till and not make them break up good grass land which will grow weeds, if manure is not put in? It is your job to provide the manure.