Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 May 1942

Vol. 87 No. 3

Adjournment—Flour Shortage in West Cork.

Mr. O'Donovan

When I tabled this question with regard to the shortage of flour in the Adrigole and Castletownbere area, I had hoped to get some sympathy from the Minister with regard to the poor people living there under bad conditions. Even after his reply, when I questioned him across the House, I thought he might soften a bit. When I found there was no hope I gave notice to raise this matter on the adjournment, with the hope—I fear, a forlorn one—that I would enlist his sympathy on behalf of those people. I fear he does not know the circumstances under which they have to live.

He stated that he had received a communication from the Adrigole Parish Council. If he studied that information, which they can vouch for as being absolutely correct—they went to the trouble of asking him to send one of his inspectors down to question every item of it—he would have been more sympathetic. In Adrigole parish there are 807 persons getting 3½ lbs. of flour per week, which means 8 ounces of flour per head. I remember that, before I was 60, I used to fast on 8 ounces of bread when the black fast was on, so that the people of Adrigole parish are practically on a black fast at present. There is no land to be seen there, except in little patches where there are little plots of wheat. They also grow little plots of potatoes, and perhaps a little oats. The wheat crop last year was very bad, and when they had the seed taken out there was no wheat available to be ground into flour. They are depending on the distributor for it. When the potato supply was exhausted, the little they had left went into seed when sowing the potato crop this year, and as a result there are no potatoes available there worth talking of.

I am dealing with the whole Castletown peninsula in mentioning these facts. Heretofore, as mentioned in the circular, these people added maize and meal to the flour in making wheaten bread. Surely the Minister knows very well that is not available now. Oatmeal is not available now either. The Minister said they were getting per head as much flour as people in other areas. In other areas people have been able to produce oats and wheat in quantity, and they have money to purchase oatmeal if it is available, even at black market prices. It is unfair to them that, in these poorer and densely populated areas, they should be cut down to 3½ lbs. per head per week.

Children there must travel long distances to school and this little donation is a very small one. The cutting off of maize, oatmeal and potatoes has left them in a hopeless position. I had a letter on the 27th April from a merchant of repute in Bantry, who supplies a good deal of the flour to this area. He said he had been informed on that date by the Cork mills that they would get only 75 per cent. of the 1940 quota, as there was a cut of 5 per cent. being kept back to go to what are known as the distressed areas. This area is, to my knowledge, a distressed area, and it is most unfair to cut off that 5 per cent., which would give them, perhaps, 1 lb. more of flour per head, and the increase from 3½ to 4½ lbs. would make all the difference in the world.

On receipt of this communication, I wrote to the Department of Supplies, asking that, in view of the circumstances prevailing, an official of the Department should be sent down immediately to take stock of the position and report the conditions as he saw them. There are other areas similarly situated, in Donegal, in the West of Ireland, and in Kerry, where application was made and officials were sent down and, as far as I know, remedial measures were adopted, with possibly an increased quota arranged. That is my information. If that is the case, I do not see why the Minister would not send an official to this area, if he is not satisfied with the information given by the Adrigole Parish Council. In fact, my letter was not acknowledged.

The Minister said they were getting as much as persons in other parts of the country. It is unfair to compare these districts with other parts of the country. Unless something is done quickly, the situation will become more serious and the Minister's responsibility will be very great. Not alone are the people short of bread and potatoes, and without the maize meal or oatmeal, but there is a general shortage of food. Unlike people in other areas, they have not got a pig to kill, so as to have some bacon and cabbage to fall back on, nor have they fowl to give them eggs for sustenance through a critical period, as the food is not there for fowl or pigs.

Some time last year I happened to meet some people from Bere Island. The situation there was serious then, when a family of 12 were living on four stone of flour per month. The situation is much more serious to-day. If the Minister does not change his attitude it will not help the situation. I have raised this matter in order to try to elicit the Minister's sympathy. I hope, as a result of raising this matter now, that an official will be sent down to the area and that he will examine closely the figures given by the Adrigole Parish Council. I suggest that he should not confine himself to the one parish, but should go also to Kilcaskin, Bere Island and the extreme end of the Berehaven peninsula in order to find out if anything can be done.

We have potatoes in plenty in other parts of the county. Potatoes were cheap in Clonakilty—I think they were selling at 7d. or 8d. a stone. Of course, if the flour is not available the Minister cannot do anything, but, if there is flour available, those people should get a reasonable quota. If there is not a sufficient quantity of flour available, the Minister should take steps to secure supplies of potatoes from areas where they are plentiful and are selling at a reasonable price, and make arrangements to transport the potatoes to those districts, such as the peninsula and other places I mentioned, where there is a scarcity. If that were done, it would help those unfortunate people over a difficult period until the new potato crop is ready.

I do not want to make the case any harder or any worse than it is. I have presented the facts as I got them. I know the area and, even in better times than those in which we are now living, those people always felt the pinch and there was always a scarcity. At the present time the situation is very much worse. If flour cannot be obtained, I hope arrangements will be made to send potatoes there. I trust the Minister will give this matter sympathetic consideration and endeavour to arrange that the people in this and in other areas similarly situated will have something to tide them over the difficult period that is facing the country. It should be borne in mind that they are in a different position from the people who are living on the good lands. I sincerely hope the Minister will be able to do something to help them.

Mr. Murphy

I should like to associate myself with Deputy O'Donovan's suggestion to the Minister. The Adrigole district, the whole Berehaven peninsula, and the other areas to which the Deputy referred, must always present a special problem. From the very nature of things there and the conditions under which the people have to live, even in the best of times, a very special problem must always be presented.

I should not like to have this matter discussed from any other point of view than from the point of view of trying to get everybody concerned to do all that is possible to ease the difficulties that exist in that area. On another occasion, in regard to certain portions of that district, some information was conveyed to the Minister which was not quite correct; the position was, to a certain extent, overstated at one period. I should not like that to prejudice the position now in any way. I am aware that certain information was passed on to the Minister at that time that did not wholly correspond with the facts, and people locally have the idea that that has prejudiced the position there. I should like to have the Minister's assurance that this matter will be examined fully and fairly at the earliest possible date.

The fact that the parish priest of Adrigole has associated himself with this request—the Minister has all the correspondence in his Department—indicates that it is not a matter that is being raised and discussed within any narrow limits. If it is difficult to arrange that some representative of the Minister go there to examine the position, may I suggest that there is machinery already in the district by means of which an examination could be carried out? The whole Berehaven peninsula is known to the agricultural overseers. They must know every smallholder, or at least a great many of them. The Minister could utilise that machinery already in the district for the purpose of seeing what can be done to ease the difficulties of the people, whose position, even at the best of times, is difficult enough and, in the special circumstances of the present time, must be much more trying than usual.

Mr. Lemass

I can assure Deputy Murphy that the fact that a former secretary of the Adrigole Parish Council sent inaccurate and misleading information concerning conditions there, and thereby gave rise to a heated debate in the Dáil, has in no way affected my attitude towards the circumstances of the parish. I am sufficiently familiar with the conditions in that part of Ireland to have nothing but sympathy for people who have such a struggle in making a precarious livelihood and anything I can do to help them to meet their difficulties will be very gladly done.

Deputy O'Sullivan some time ago came to me, following the preparation of a report on the flour situation by the Adrigole Parish Council, and I discussed the position with him. I told him what I am now going to tell the Dáil. Deputy O'Neill, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, also sent me a copy of the Adrigole Parish Council's memorandum and I have studied it carefully. I can say that there is every evidence of the truth of Deputy O'Donovan's assertion, that the memorandum was prepared with considerable care and that the information contained in it is unquestionably accurate, at any rate, in so far as it relates to matters concerning which I am in a position to get information—that is, the quantity of flour which goes weekly into the area and the distribution per head which that quantity of flour permits. The Adrigole Parish Council communication states that 2,940 lbs. of flour go into the parish to supply 807 persons, thus giving each person 3½ lbs. of flour per week.

The position is that the average distribution of flour throughout the whole country, possible at the present time, does not represent more than 3½ lbs. per head per week. There are something less than 42,000 sacks of 280 lbs. produced each week from the flour mills and distributed, and Deputies can calculate for themselves what distribution of flour that quantity permits of. It is not correct that the distribution of flour in the district has been cut by a further 5 per cent. Amongst the papers sent me by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was a letter from the principal trader in the locality, who stated he had been receiving 40 sacks per week, but that in March the quantity had been reduced to 32 sacks and, as Deputies will quickly calculate, that represents the reduction of one-fifth which was enforced upon all traders throughout the country at that time.

The position concerning our wheat supplies is, I think, well known to the Dáil. When I spoke here some time ago, I told the House that, on the basis of the present distribution of flour, an average of 3½ lbs. per head per week, the stocks of wheat in the country would be exhausted on a date towards the end of June. That was not an exaggeration. On the basis of the known stocks in the country, if we had continued distribution at that rate, upon a date towards the end of June there would be no more wheat to distribute. Fortunately, a number of wheat cargoes have arrived in the course of the past couple of weeks, the effect of which is to push back that date for another month, and we can now say that the present distribution of flour can be maintained until a date somewhere about the 20th or 24th July. But we still have to face the fact that unless further cargoes arrive, upon some date in July the entire stock of wheat and flour in the country will be exhausted. That is the fact, the hard fact, which has necessitated the restrictions upon the distribution of flour. I do not know that any other course is open to a person in my position except to ensure that these restrictions upon flour distribution are maintained in order to spread the existing supplies over the longest possible period. No doubt, we could distribute flour freely and unrestrictedly and, when it was all gone, face the conditions of famine and hardship that would then arise.

Mr. O'Donovan

Nobody wants that.

Mr. Lemass

Nobody would suggest that that would be a sound policy. I am optimistic that we will succeed in getting in a sufficient quantity of wheat to enable us to maintain the present distribution of flour until the next harvest is garnered. I hope we will get more. Unfortunately, one cannot act upon the basis of that hope and I think it will be agreed that it is now rather than later we should try to increase the distribution of flour because the hardest period, particularly in these outlying areas, will be from this until the main potato crop comes in. If I felt that the prospects of future imports of wheat were sufficiently good to justify me in taking the risk, I would endeavour to ensure that, for the next quota period, a somewhat larger quantity of flour would be delivered from the mills, mainly for the benefit of these outlying districts in which there is a scarcity of other foodstuffs. I have difficulty in deciding whether I am entitled to take that risk or not because, while our shipping programme appears to be capable of delivering a quantity of wheat which would justify it, one single upset to that programme would involve a loss of wheat more than would be involved in the extra distribution of flour that I have in mind. However, in the course of the next week or so, if no mishap occurs during that period, I will be in a position to make a decision as to whether during the month of June it will be possible to increase the deliveries of flour in these districts. The increase cannot be much because, under any circumstances, only a very small addition to the total output of flour from the mills could be contemplated.

The position is, therefore, that nobody in any part of the country can get all the flour that he wants or all the flour that he has been accustomed to purchase weekly. Some restriction in the consumption of flour in these districts is as essential as it is in others.

We have been trying by intensive propaganda through the newspapers and by means of the radio to induce persons living in districts where other foodstuffs are more plentiful to reduce voluntarily their consumption of flour substantially below that which would be possible to them upon the basis of an average distribution of the total supplies per head. If people will respond to these appeals, if those residing in districts where there are ample supplies of other foodstuffs or those who are better-off and, consequently, able to obtain a wider range of foods than others, will restrict their consumption of bread to the degree which is required, then the extra supplies thus made available can be and will be given into those districts where special problems exist because the supply of alternative foodstuffs at this period of the year is very restricted.

I would like to make one reference to a remark made by the Deputy concerning potatoes. It is a rather remarkable fact that in West Cork, in County Galway, to some extent in County Donegal and in one or two other districts, we have the position of a surplus of potatoes in one area adjacent to another area where there is a scarcity of potatoes. I have had many representations made to me—representations were also made to other Ministers — that the Government should take action to assist in the disposal of the surplus of potatoes either by permitting their export, as has been suggested by some, or by utilising them for the manufacture of industrial alcohol. It is a rather serious step for the Government to take to act on either of these suggestions when we know that in other districts there is a scarcity of potatoes.

No doubt, the total surplus in the country is far more than would be sufficient to make good the scarcity in the few districts where a scarcity exists. I am not quite able to understand why commercial enterprise in these districts cannot bring the surplus to make good the scarcity. There may be practical difficulties; it may not be a trade in which persons normally engage but, it seems to me that if the facts were known, ordinary private commercial enterprises in these areas should be capable of meeting the situation.

Mr. McGovern

Can they get petrol for it?

Mr. Lemass

Certainly. At any rate, I think I can undertake to ensure that the Great Southern Railways Company, which provides transport services in all these districts, will ensure that transport facilities are available to any trader who decides to enter into that business. It may be that some special organisation would be required, in which case I think it is preferable that that organisation should be provided through some local body, either through parish councils or the county committee of agriculture or somebody familiar, not merely with the general conditions, but with the individuals in each district who can best advise as to how to distribute whatever supplies might be available.

Mr. Linehan

The board of assistance would fit it very well.

Mr. Lemass

It is essentially a local problem in these districts and no elaborate organisation is, I think, required to deal with it because, in each case, the surplus of potatoes is very close to the districts in which the scarcity exists. I have been endeavouring to arrange that a quantity of oats would be gathered and kept for milling into oatmeal for special distribution in these districts. Unfortunately, the total quantity of oats that I have been able to gather is so small as not to be capable of making any appreciable difference in the food supplies of these districts. It may be that some will come in yet, but the intention is to ensure that whatever oats can be made available to the oat millers will be milled into oatmeal for these districts and these districts only. I do not want to create the impression that the quantity I can see in sight will be sufficient to relieve entirely the scarcity of the commonly-consumed foodstuffs in these localities.

My answer, therefore, to the Deputy is, that while the situation remains as it is, there is no possibility of increasing the total quantity of flour available. My examination of the circumstances of the Adrigole district confirms that they are getting the appropriate supply of flour on the basis of an 80 per cent. distribution of 1940 purchases. I recognise that, in these districts, the month of June and the early part of July are the hungry periods, and if we are able to come to the conclusion, upon the basis of our imports of wheat and the movement of ships, that it is possible to take the risk of increasing the total output of flour, then that will be done in the month of June for the special benefit of these localities.

Mr. O'Donovan

Would the Minister consider increasing the flour quota in these areas to 90 per cent. and reducing it in the areas which are better situated?

Mr. Lemass

I have no doubt that if I did we would have another debate on the adjournment at the request of Deputies from the areas in which the reduction was enforced. It is not so easy, as the Deputy will understand, to pick the individual traders whose allocations of flour are to be reduced in order to create a pool which can be used to increase the allocation to traders in other areas. Every trader is, of course, directly and personally affected by the size of his quota of flour. Even though some traders may be mainly concerned with the interests of their customers, they are not likely to ignore their own personal position and, consequently, any attempt to exercise a degree of individual discrimination in determining the quota of traders is likely to lead to a great deal of correspondence and controversy. My hope for these districts is that it will be possible to decide, as a result of the arrival of additional cargoes or satisfactory progress in the movement of ships, to take the risk of releasing another 2,000 or 3,000 sacks of flour per week for a limited period for the special benefit of these areas. While it is foolish to be optimistic in these matters I am not without hope that it will be possible to do so and, in the meantime, I would strongly urge the local authorities of the districts to look into the possibility of meeting the special problems of some areas by arranging for the transportation of potatoes from the district in which a surplus exists.

Mr. Hughes

How does this district compare with some of the districts that have been already relieved in the West?

Mr. Lemass

A rather exaggerated idea has arisen as to the extent to which we have relieved the situation in the West. In some of these western districts the problem was one of transport rather than of increasing the quantity of flour available. It was mainly a problem of getting that flour which was allocated to the district to the traders for distribution. Of course, special arrangements were made for some islands off the coast, where abnormal conditions prevail.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.30 p.m. until 3 p.m., Friday, 29th May.