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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Malting and Millable Barley.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the price for malting barley in Great Britain has been fixed at 55/- per barrel, and for millable barley at 52/6 per barrel; and whether he will increase the prices for these classes of barley in Éire so as to secure comparable reward for the harder work necessary to raise these crops in Éire.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Will the Minister indicate any reason why farmers growing barley in Great Britain should receive 52/6 per barrel for barley of millable quality, while the farmers in Éire receive no more than 35/- for barley of malting quality?

I have stated the reasons on many occasions.

Is the Minister prepared to state any reason why the farmers in Éire should receive only 35/- per barrel for malting barley, while the farmers in Great Britain receive 55/- for barley of the very same quality, sold to the very same brewer, for conversion into porter which is sold in the same market?

Will the Minister consider fixing a quota for malting barley?

Let the Minister first answer the question about the price. Is there any explanation why Messrs. Arthur Guinness and Son should be allowed to buy barley in Éire at 35/- per barrel—why the farmers in this country should be forced to sell their barley to Messrs. Guinness for 35/- per barrel, while the farmers in England are getting 55/- for a similar commodity to be converted into stout which will be sold in the same barrels as the stout produced in Ireland? Has the Minister any explanation with regard to the difference of £1 a barrel for the barley?

There are several explanations.

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