asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that a firm of maltsters in Portlaoighise will not give barley contracts to farmers unless they agree to purchase supplies of seeds and manures from the maltsters and that this practice has inflicted great hardship on farmers who have already purchased their supplies of seeds and manures and will seriously hamper the production of barley; and, if so, if he will take steps to ensure the immediate cessation of this objectionable practice.
- Farmers' Barley Contracts.
Mr. Walsh
Malting barley has not been the subject of official control since 1948. The making of contracts for the growing of malting barley is entirely a matter between the industrial users and the growers. Users of barley will, no doubt, enter into contracts with growers to an extent sufficient to provide for their requirements. I feel sure the growers' representatives are quite capable of looking after their interests in this matter and I cannot see on what ground the Deputy considers it would be appropriate for me to intervene.
Surely, the Minister must take a serious view of this matter. Having regard to the necessity for more tillage he should see that farmers in Leix, particularly in the parishes of Emo, Ballybrittas and around Portlaoighise, who usually have barley contracts with a particular firm of maltsters in Portlaoighise are not denied a contract for barley. They now find that they will not be given consideration unless they purchase seeds and manures from the same firm of malsters. Those farmers have already obtained their supplies of seeds and manures but, at very great inconvenience, they are denied entering into a contract for barley. Surely the Minister must take a serious view of that?
Mr. Walsh
I have no function in the matter. It is a matter for the growers' representatives to make representations on behalf of the growers.
Surely, it would be a matter of interest to the Minister for Agriculture if it were brought to his attention that persons charged with the responsibility of buying malting barley from farmers use that power to compel the farmers to buy seed and fertilisers from themselves, especially in view of the fact that the prices of seed and fertiliser are not now fixed by law? That was an abuse which was controlled by an Emergency Powers Order during the war in respect of a wide variety of articles.
While I am not suggesting that the Minister should have resort to emergency powers now, would not an expression of his interest in the matter very likely put an end to any abuse that may exist?
Mr. Walsh
What bearing has this speech on the question asked?
May I raise this matter on the Adjournment?
It will be considered with the other questions.
This matter is a disgrace.
The Deputy is a good judge of disgraces.
I have spent my life fighting them.