asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (i) the total quantity of oats purchased under the Department's oats purchasing scheme; (ii) the quantity resold by merchants; (iii) the quantity still on the merchants' hands and the prospects of having this balance cleared off before the next season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oats.
Substantial quantities of oats have been sold and are being sold from the total quantity stored. Considerable quantities have passed into consumption on the domestic and foreign markets, but it is not possible at this stage to furnish the particulars required by the Deputy, but if he will repeat his question in about six weeks I hope to be in a position to provide him with a full and succinct answer.
That would be a miracle.
Might I ask the Minister if he has any prospects of making a profit on these oats purchased under this scheme and in the event of any profits being forthcoming will they be passed back to the producers——
That is a separate question.
——who have disposed of their oats before the scheme came into operation?
May I remind the Deputy that I had occasion to say when discussing my Estimate that certain of the proprietors of these oats were now drawing from the store and in so far as they did so they would have permission to do so, but in the case of any oats sold by the Government at a profit the profit will accrue to the relief of the Exchequer? I do not think that rational citizens of this State would propound a bargain that heads they win and tails we lose.
Would the Minister tell us why it is necessary to wait for the result of the West Cork election before giving an answer?
Does it not break the Deputy's heart?