asked the Minister for Agriculture (i) if he will give the date of the revocation of the prohibition Order against the removal of potatoes from the black scab area; (ii) what considerations induced him to make such an Order after the bulk of the potato crop had been disposed of; (iii) whether he sought the advice and secured the approval of the technical experts on this black scab disease before taking such a course, and (iv) if he will assure the House that no ill effects are likely to result from his decision.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Black Scab Disease.
Mr. Blaney
The Black Scab in Potatoes (Special Area) Orders have not been revoked and are still in force. The subsequent parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.
Will the Minister admit that potatoes have been permitted to be removed from this area more freely than heretofore, and does he not think, if my information is correct, that we are entitled to be given the background as to the reasons for these facilities?
If the Deputy would put down a question I would consider it my duty to give the fullest possible information. The question I was asked was, why the Black Scab Order had been revoked? The Deputy, having been Minister for Agriculture himself, must know how important it is to emphasise that the Black Scab Order in this country has never been revoked and is not now revoked but is most strictly enforced. If any potatoes are allowed to leave a black scab area they are only allowed to do so under close supervision so as to ensure that there is no possibility of spreading the disease outside the scheduled and supervised area. But, if the Deputy desires to know full particulars of any instance where the transport of potatoes took place from a black scab area to another area, and asks for them I shall be glad to give him the fullest details.
Is it not a fact that, in recent weeks, it has been possible, by permit or otherwise, to remove from a black scab area potatoes all over the country?
That is really a shocking thing to say.
Is it unreasonable, in the opinion of the Minister, that a Deputy should inquire into the way in which the Minister himself was fortified by technical advice before making the decision?
That does not arise on the question.
May I say that there is not a shadow of foundation for the allegation that any general authority was given to move potatoes out of a black scab area to any part of the country? It has always been the practice that, in approved circumstances, an ascertained quantity of potatoes might be moved from a black scab area to another area, always provided that careful precautions were taken to see that the circumstances in which they were moved would exclude the possibility of spreading the disease but it never has been the case, and never will be the case, that any general licence will be given to move potatoes out of a black scab area in this country without full and adequate supervision in respect of each removal authorised by special licence.
The Minister has not attempted to answer my question.