asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that malting barley is at present selling for 120/- to 170/- per 16-stone barrel in Great Britain; and, if so, whether he will forthwith alter the fixed price of 30/- per 16-stone barrel which he has fixed for purchases by brewers from farmers in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Malting Barley.
I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the Deputy's similar question on the 12th March beyond directing the Deputy's attention to the fact that the price of malting barley in Great Britain has recently been fixed at 70/- per barrel of 16 stone.
Surely, the Minister will agree with me—or does he agree with me—that having presented the brewers with £1,000,000 sterling of the Irish barley growers' money during the last 12 months, we ought not to proceed to present them with £500,000 of the Irish barley growers' money in the coming 12 months, and that something ought to be done to ensure that those who produce the barley will get its value and that the shareholders of the breweries and distilleries do not collar all of it? Would the Minister agree with that?
I should like to check on the Deputy's premises before I agree.
The Minister must admit——
The Minister's answer to the question may not be debated.
Does the Minister say that the prices I have quoted are inaccurate? If they are not inaccurate, it means that the brewers were presented with £1,000,000 last year and that he proposes to give them £500,000 this year.
I should like to check up on that.