asked the Minister for Agriculture what arrangements have been made for the disposal of 30,000 tons of potatoes purchased by the British Government which, while being paid for at the agreed price, are not being exported to Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Potatoes.
The British Ministry of Food purchased 50,000 tons of potatoes from us and is taking delivery of them. The matter of the ultimate disposal of this purchase is one for the British Ministry of Food, to whom I must refer the Deputy for any information he may require in regard to that matter.
The Minister has given me to understand that, of the 50,000 tons of potatoes mentioned, 20,000 tons are being taken direct to Britain and 30,000 tons are being handled otherwise. I want to know in what manner these other 30,000 tons are being disposed of?
The Minister has no function or responsibility in the matter.
They have been bought and paid for.
The question is a question of propriety. If every customer we have for our agricultural produce is susceptible to have the disposition that he makes of the goods he purchases from us made the subject of discussion in this House, after he has bought, paid for and taken delivery of the goods, I think a great many persons would be reluctant to deal with us. The Deputy may be aware that this matter has, in fact, been made the subject of a question in the British House of Commons and that the full information is contained in the reply to that question. If it would be of any assistance to him. I would gladly refer him to the relevant passage in Hansard where the question was answered.
Is it a fact, a Chinn Chomhairle, that the 30,000 tons of potatoes referred to in this question are being converted into industrial alcohol in the five factories established in this country? If that is true, I would ask the Minister to tell the House the capacity of these five factories in any one season?
I have nothing to add to my reply.
I would ask the Minister for an assurance to the farmers who normally would expect to sell their potatoes to the alcohol factories that this purchase by the British Government and the resale by them, or whatever the arrangement is, will not stop these farmers from getting an opportunity of selling in their normal market.
That is a completely different question.
It is a question that affects quite a number of farmers, and the Minister should give them an assurance.
Surely I am entitled to know whether, as a result of the handling of any of these 30,000 tons of potatoes purchased by Great Britain through the five alcohol factories, our farmers are going to be precluded from disposing of their surplus potatoes to these factories in the ordinary way.
Why the secrecy?
We will hear more about this.
If there is any mischief you can do, you will do it. I know that.