asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the total quantity of potatoes for human consumption required per annum to meet the needs of non-producers; (b) the quantity of potatoes now available in the country to meet such needs until the next harvest; and (c) what steps are contemplated to secure an adequate supply of potatoes at reasonable prices for poor persons in the cities and towns until the next harvest.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Potatoes.
(a) The quantity of potatoes required to meet the needs of the non-agricultural community is roughly estimated at 200,000 tons a year. (b) Final particulárs of potato yields in 1943 are not yet available but the total production of potatoes in that year is provisionally estimated at about 3,000,000 tons. The Deputy will appreciate that the greater part of the potato crop is retained by farmers for family requirements, seed purposes and stock feeding and that the marketable surplus is, accordingly, not large in relation to the total production. It is not feasible to estimate the amount of the marketable surplus in respect of the 1943 crop but it is considered that, on the whole, sufficient potatoes should be available to meet the needs of the non-agricultural population as well as of the agricultural community. (c) As indicated in my reply to the question asked by the Deputy on 21st October, 1943, measures are being adopted with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of potatoes at reasonable prices for urban consumers during the coming season.
If the Minister is unable to estimate the amount of potatoes that will be available, how is he able to arrange to take the necessary steps to ensure a supply in the towns and cities?
I told the Deputy that we could not yet make a firm estimate of the yield. We have, however, provisional estimates, and it is felt that there is, at least, as good a supply of potatoes this year as last year.
The Minister says that it is hoped there will be as good a supply of potatoes this year as there was last year. Has the Minister forgotten the scenes in Dublin last year, or does he propose to have them repeated?
It is hoped that the distribution will be better.
The Minister is still only hoping.
Is it not a good thing to have hopes?
And not to realise them.