asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that Messrs. Moran and Sons, Roscahill West, Kilmeena, Westport, made several applications to his Department for a licence to export carrageen moss, and that they have not yet received such licence; and if he will state the cause of delay in issuing the licence to Messrs Moran.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Carrageen Moss.
Messrs. Moran applied to my Department in August last for an export licence for a considerable quantity of carrageen moss. As a result of inquiries subsequently made, it was ascertained that they had only a negligible quantity of moss then on hands. They were, therefore, advised to submit a fresh application when they had a consignment collected for export, and to furnish certain necessary information. Two subsequent applications were made by Messrs. Moran in January and February last. Each application ignored my Department's communication, and on each occasion the attention of the applicants was called to the terms of that communication. In the circumstances, the delay is attributable to Messrs. Moran and not to my Department.
I may add that responsibility for the issue of licences for the exportation of carrageen moss has been taken over as from the 1st April, 1943, by the Department of Lands.
Is the Minister aware that Messrs. Moran have got that permit?
Why, then, did the Deputy ask the question?
I only got the information to-day.