asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state specifically what steps he is taking to provide a supply of potatoes at reasonable prices for town dwellers, with particular reference to the position in Dublin, during the next six months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Supplies.
I do not think it advisable at the moment to enter into the details of my scheme for the supply of potatoes to urban consumers.
Mr. O'Sullivan
On the last occasion on which this matter was before the House, the Minister pleaded that the season had not advanced to the stage at which a final survey might be made of the position. I suggest that that period has now passed, and he should be in a position to make a final survey. May, I remind the Minister of the urgency of this matter, and the anxiety lest there might be a repetition of what happened in the late spring and the autumn of this year?
The Deputy must not infer from my reply that nothing is being done. I merely say that it is not advisable to discuss details at the moment, because it might be difficult to operate the scheme if the details were known.
Will the Minister give a categorical assurance that potatoes will be available in the towns and cities at reasonable prices?
Will the Minister see, for the sake of good example, that the Lord Mayor will dig his own potatoes?
Mr. O'Sullivan
It is perfectly true that I have done so; I have set that example.
Will the Minister give a categorical assurance that potatoes will be available at reasonable prices in the towns and cities? That does not require him to disclose the details of any scheme.
It is impossible to give an assurance of that kind. The only assurance I can give is that everything possible will be done to ensure that potatoes wiH be available.
Does the Minister not realise that our total potato consumption is approximately 20 per cent. of our potato production, and surely he can provide the necessary machinery to ensure that, out of our total production, 20 per cent. will be available for human consumption?
Mr. Byrne
Is there any danger of a shortage?
I do not think so.
Mr. Larkin
Will the Minister see that the idle land around Dublin City is cultivated for the purpose of producing potatoes? There are thousands of acres lying idle around Dublin City.
Does the Deputy mean State-owned lands?
Mr. Larkin
All the land is State-owned land, so far as I know.