asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether it is his intention to fix a minimum price for oats for the coming season; and, if so, when and what the price will be.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Oats.
Mr. Walsh
It is not the practice, as the Deputy no doubt knows, to fix a price for oats, of which crop only a relatively small proportion—something over 10 per cent.—is normally marketed for cash, the great bulk of the crop being fed on the growers' farms. In recent years farmers have been able to secure satisfactory prices for such oats as they marketed, and I see no reason why the position should be any different in the coming season.
Mr. O'Higgins
Is the Minister not aware that he and his colleagues in 1948-49 advocated a minimum price for oats?
Mr. Walsh
There is no necessity for that now because oats are making a good price.
Mr. O'Higgins
Because there are no oats.
Mr. Walsh
It is as high as 35/- to 40/- per barrel at present.