asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that Dutch tomatoes, subsidised by the Dutch Government to enable them to be sold here at 1/4 per lb., are arriving in such quantities as to interfere seriously with the sale of home-grown tomatoes now at the peak of their season, and that this is likely to cause unemployment among glasshouse workers, as home-growers will be forced to grow less next year; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prohibit the import of all foreign-grown tomatoes for approximately two months, during which time the home-growers will be able to supply the market fully.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Tomatoes—Threat to Workers.
I am not aware that a subsidy is paid by the Dutch Government as suggested by Deputy Dunne, nor am I aware that the price of home-grown tomatoes has fallen to such a level that the general public can afford to buy such produce.
The importation of tomatoes save under licence has already been prohibited during the period 1st July to 31st October inclusive this year, but I have decided to permit importation to such an extent that supplies will be available for all sections of the community at prices which all, including the poor in our towns and cities, can afford to pay.
Is the Minister aware that the fact that his decision to allow in more or less unrestricted imports of Dutch tomatoes is having an adverse effect upon the market so far as Irish tomatoes are concerned? Will be take into account the fact that tomato growing, particularly in County Dublin, is a fairly important industry from the point of view of the small farmers in the Rush and Lusk district and from the point of view of the labourers in County Dublin? Will he take steps to see that any imports which are allowed in do not adversely affect the position so far as Irish tomatoes are concerned?
I am not aware of all the facts alleged to be true by Deputy Dunne. While fully understanding his solicitude for the considerable trade in his constituency, I am bound to say that the welfare of no vested interest will persuade me to deny to the residents of Dominick Street and Meath Street and the poorer quarters of this city generally access to tomatoes which the prohibition of foreign supplies would reserve exclusively for the richer sections of our community.
Surely the Minister is not suggesting that the small farmers of County Dublin represent vested interests?
Anyone who wants to keep an amenity available to the well-off sections of our community from the poor is allowing his judgment, in my opinion, to be clouded by a vested interest.