asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the recent announcements over the radio regarding long-term trade agreements entered into between Great Britain and other Commonwealth countries for the importation of food commodities; and, whether, for the purpose of indicating to the Post-War Planning Committee accurate information as to quantities and prices of animals and products for which we can secure an export market post-war, he will state what action by way of Ministerial contact or otherwise the Government is taking to secure trade arrangements with Great Britain for live stock and livestock products in the different categories best suited to our circumstances, and to obtain information as to the possibilities of trade in basic stock for the restocking of Europe.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post-War Export Market.
I am not satisfied that in present circumstances any useful purpose would be served by initiating negotiations or inquiries in respect of export trade in agricultural produce in the post-war period.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will he say what statistical information is available regarding the possibility of an export trade, post-war? What information is available to the Post-War Planning Committee? Will the Minister say how a planning committee can plan, firstly, for our own requirements at home, and secondly, for post-war export purposes, if statistical information is not available?
One of the things that influenced the matter, when that particular committee was formed, was whether they would be the type of people who could make up their own minds with regard to the possibility of a future output here, and what would be likely to be the capacity of foreign markets.
Does that mean that this committee is merely guessing at the possibilities of our export trade?
Well, in view of the present situation, we must all only guess.
And so, we are planning for the post-war period on a guessing basis?
Well, if the Deputy, or anybody else, can tell me exactly what postwar conditions are likely to be, I should be glad to have that information.
Does the Minister realise the implications contained in the question that I have put down; that, if we could get more accurate information by contact—Ministerial contact, if necessary—with the people to whom we propose to sell our products in the post-war period, it would be better than merely guessing?
The question that the Deputy put down did not deal with the prospects or with the point of capacity, but rather whether we should enter into plans or not.
Supposing that that is the question at issue, and that we have not proper information, how can we plan ahead?
Oh, we can plan, all right.
How can we arrange to produce goods for which we may not have a market?
We shall have a market, all right.
Is the Minister suggesting that we ought not to plan ahead for our export market?
The Deputy should realise that there may be a market in this country, apart altogether from our export trade: that there may be a market in our own country for our own produce.
Does the Minister think that our capacity to produce is merely sufficient for our own requirements?
In certain lines.
And that we cannot produce over and above that?
In certain lines, yes.