asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) in relation to the seven tons of potatoes which, according to his answer on 30th May last, were sent to Dublin from the black scab areas in 1949-50, the date or dates on which the licences for their removal were issued; (b) whether other licences to remove potatoes from the black scab areas to other parts of the Twenty-Six Counties have since been issued, and, if so, the dates of issue; and (c) whether registered potato merchants have been informed that such licences are not now available; and, if so, the date upon which they were informed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potatoes from Black Scab Areas.
(a) One licence covering the seven tons was issued on 8th May last. (b) No other licences were issued. (c) No, it was not necessary, in as much as licensed potato merchants were never informed generally that such licences would be available.
How am I to reconcile the information which I have received now and on the 30th May from the Minister with the knowledge that a consignment of potatoes left the black scab area under licence and was sold in a town outside of Dublin City?
I do not know what belief the Deputy entertains, but the facts are that one licence was issued on the 8th May covering seven tons of potatoes which were brought to this city for the Potato Marketing Company and were distributed by them for retail sale and consumption.
Surely the Minister will admit that if I have evidence of the fact that a consignment of potatoes left the black scab area under licence and was sold in a town down the country, it is understandable that I should find it hard to reconcile that fact with the information which I have now received?
May I take it that if the Deputy on investigation discovers that he is mistaken he will be prompt to declare that fact in Dáil Éireann?
I want to assure the Minister that before raising this point I had evidence that is irrefutable that a consignment of potatoes allowed out under licence was sold in a provincial town in the country.
And that the person in the provincial town was licensed to take them out and did take them out?
That the person who held the licence sold them other than in Dublin as stated.
I would thank the Deputy for any information that he has of that kind. It will be most carefully examined.