asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that Irish apples were sold at £12 per ton, or 1¼d. per lb., to the Irish exporters last autumn, and that a large quantity of these apples was exported; and if he will state if he granted import licences for English apples at the same time, the retail price of which to the Dublin consumer was 2/- per pound or £224 per ton.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Apple Prices.
I am not aware that a large quantity of apples was exported last autumn. No import licences were issued, as apples grown in England are not quantitatively controlled but are subject to a duty of 1d. per lb.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Irish apples at £12 per ton—roughly 1¼d. per lb.—were exported to England and that the same apples were reimported into this country and sold to Dublin housewives at 2/- per lb. or £224 per ton?
Who exported them?
The Deputy's information is not correct.
I am sure it is correct, and the Parliamentary Secretary knows that it is correct.
The export of Irish apples was negligible in the period mentioned by the Deputy and the import of English apples was not very big, either.