asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the flax grown in West Cork is of at least as good a quality as that grown in any other part of Ireland; that when West Cork flax is being purchased, for manufacture, by Northern Ireland buyers, there is a cut of 2/6 a stone in the price paid as compared with that paid for Northern Ireland flax; whether he has had any conversations with the Northern Ireland purchasing authorities on this anomaly; and if not, if he will now take some appropriate action so that our Southern flax growers will not be penalised to such a grave extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flax Prices
I am aware that the flax grown in West Cork is of good quality and that it is being purchased by the British authorities at prices which are 2/6 per stone less than those being paid for flax of the same grades grown in Northern Ireland. Frequent representations have been made through the appropriate channels with a view to having growers here placed on an equal footing with Northern Ireland growers but without result.
Could the Minister take some steps, by subsidy or otherwise, to see that the farmers who grow flax in Southern Ireland will get at least the same price as the farmers in Northern Ireland?
We will see they get a decent price, but we should not be influenced at all by what they get in the North of Ireland.