asked the Minister for Agriculture when the flax growers of County Monaghan may expect to have their crops purchased, as this being one of their principal cash crops, the delay in realising it is causing widespread hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Flax Crops.
I would refer the Deputy to the announcement which appeared in the daily Press on 26th instant that markets for the sale of flax had been arranged for in the flax-growing counties.
May I ask the Minister whether it was my question on the Order Paper that gingered him up and, secondly, whether he has been able to get the extra half-crown for flax which has been made available to flax producers in Northern Ireland by the British?
The answer to the first part of the question is that it was a coincidence; and the answer to the second part is that we delayed while we were looking for this 2/6, which we did not succeed in getting. That was the reason for the delay.
Is there any chance of the negotiations continuing, so as to ensure that flax producers in Monaghan and Donegal will get the same price as those in Fermanagh?
I think the answer given may be taken as final.
It does not seem to be a very reasonable thing for the British Government to do.