asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is correct, as stated in a Dublin newspaper, that 2,000 tons of barley and malt have arrived recently in this country from Poland; and, if so, if he will state (a) the purpose for which it was imported; (b) the price paid; (c) if it was necessary to import this cargo, and (d) if it was not possible to obtain the imports from some other source other than from behind the Iron Curtain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barley and Malt Imports.
Mr. Walsh
As the quantity of homegrown malting barley available from the 1951 crop is insufficient to meet the requirements of brewers between now and next harvest, the importation of 2,000 tons of barley and malt was authorised by me. The arrangements for the purchase of the barley and malt were made by the importer through the normal trade channels, and, so far as I am aware, the offer received from Poland was the best which could be obtained at the time the purchase was made. It is not the practice to disclose details of prices paid by an individual firm.