asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will urge upon the potato marketing board the desirability of having Donegal-produced potatoes exported through Donegal ports rather than through the port of Derry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Potato Exports.
Mr. Walsh
This matter is constantly before the Irish Potato Marketing Company who are, to my knowledge, endeavouring to ship the greatest possible quantity of potatoes from the more convenient Donegal ports.
Is it not a fact that the Minister issues licence quotas to exporters? Would he not make it a condition of the issue of such licence quotas that the potatoes should be exported from Donegal posts? Further, would he make representations to the Minister for Industry and Commerce to have the freight from Donegal ports reduced to bring it near parity with freight exDerry?
Mr. Walsh
The trouble is that we cannot get the shipping companies togo into the smaller ports in Donegal. I take it that, when Rathmullen is available, most of the potatoes from Donegal will go through it.
With great respect, we have no port on the western seaboard that could touch Killybegs.
Mr. Walsh
The shippers have made objection to going into the smaller ports in Donegal.
But not to Killybegs?
Mr. Walsh
Yes.