asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will consider removing the present controlled price of 45/- per barrel for barley to permit farmers to benefit from the higher price which could be obtained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Barley.
I am not at present prepared to decontrol the price of barley.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that a large quantity of foreign barley has been imported at a cost exceeding 45/per barrel to users of barley in Eire and that an increased price or a free market would enable farmers to meet increased costs of production?
The answer to the Deputy's supplementary question is yes.