asked the Minister for Supplies whether he has received a report from the Parish Council of Adrigole, Bantry, County Cork, to the effect that flour is only delivered to the district once weekly, and that on the 28th August, 1941, when a consignment of 108 stones of flour arrived 180 persons awaited its distribution; that in the situation which resulted members of the Gárda Síochána were asked to take over distribution; that when such distribution finished a dozen persons were left unprovided for and only received a very small quantity of flour, when the sergeant of the Gárda Síochána appealed to the parties who had received flour to share with those who had not, and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that a situation of this kind does not arise in Adrigole in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adrigole Flour Supply.
I understand that flour is delivered by steamer once in each week to Adrigole as stated in the question. I have received a report on the incident mentioned by the Deputy, and find that the Deputy's information is incorrect both as to the quantity of flour delivered to the merchants in the area and in other respects. The quantity was 230 stones, and not 108 stones. Some difficulty apparently arose in connection with the distribution of one trader's supplies, and the intervention of the local Gárdaí resulted in each householder receiving an equitable share of the flour, which was in excess of the normal pre-war consumption per head of the population. Traders are expected to distribute the flour fairly amongst their former customers, and there should be no undue shortage in any area if traders carried out this arrangement. I am having further investigations made into the position in the Adrigole area with a view to seeing if any steps are necessary to maintain an equitable distribution of flour to customers.