asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether there is any prospect of a reduction in the price of intoxicating drink due to the fact that the breweries are purchasing a large quantity of their requirements of barley this season at 50/- per barrel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Intoxicating Drink.
I am informed that the minimum price paid for malting barley this season has been 66/9 per barrel delivered, not 50/- as stated by the Deputy. The price of barley is only one of the factors concerned and thereis no prospect of a reduction in the price of intoxicating liquor by reason only of the reduction in the price of barley.
Is the Minister aware that several breweries reduced their quotas to the farmers by one-third, this year, and filled the balance of their requirements by purchasing barley at 50/- a barrel? I cannot see why that would not affect the price of intoxicating liquor which is a product of the barley.
My information is that the average price paid was 66/9 per barrel.
My own neighbours have sold it and I can show the Minister receipts for barley sold at 50/- a barrel this season. Some persons sold the whole crop.
There is, I understand, some feeding barley purchased by breweries for roasting purposes but that is a very small proportion of total usage.
I can tell the Minister that this was not feeding barley. It was top quality malting barley and it was not purchased for roasting purposes. The only people who got roasted were the farmers.