asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that there are 500 tons of surplus parsnips in the Rush area; and, if so, whether he will consider issuing an export licence in respect of them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export Licences for Parsnips.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has considered the application of the Rush Agricultural and General Development Association for export licences in respect of 500 tons of surplus parsnips.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
I am aware that growers in the Rush area are anxious to export parsnips stated to be in excess of what the market here could absorb. They have been informed through their association that applications for licences to export reasonable quantities will be sympathetically considered.
Would the Minister define "a reasonable quantity"?
If the Deputy requires a dictionary, he will get one in the library, but I understand they are available to his Party.
Is that a Parliamentary answer?
The Minister cannot answer the question because he does not know, but will the Minister specify what amounts these growers will be permitted to export?
The association will be given all the information they require.
The Minister is responsible to the Dáil, and I am a Deputy asking the question. If he can give this information to the association, he is bound to give it to me since he has it in his possession.
The question asked by the Deputy has been answered. The Deputy is putting a number of other questions which do not appear on the Order Paper. If the Deputy is so solicitous, let him go to the trouble of putting down another question and it will be answered with equal frankness.
I am not poaching on Deputy Dunne's preserves, but my supplementary question arises out of the reply the Minister has given. I am asking him to be specific. I am asking him to state what is the total quantity of parsnips which will be permitted to be exported.
I submit that the supplementary arises out of a mischievous mind and not out of the reply.
The Minister, therefore, is in the position in which he was on last Thursday when he stated an unspecified quantity of oats and potatoes would be bought.
In view of the fact that the question asks specifically about a quantity stated to be 500 tons, I submit that we should get some detailed information.
The detailed information has been given that the association has been notified that if they apply for an export permit, the application will be sympathetically considered.
That is a whitewashing answer for Deputy Seán Dunne.
It is a satisfactory answer to the people represented by Deputy Dunne.
Is the Minister aware that the Rush growers will be very much surprised to find any interest being displayed in their welfare by Deputy MacEntee or Deputy Seán Brady?
That is a new one.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question No. 23.
I am asking a supplementary——
Question No. 23.