asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the recent increases in the price of bran and pollard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.
The recent increases in the price of home-produced bran and pollard followed similar increases in the world market prices.
Could the Minister state whether or not three weeks ago, approximately, a direction by telegram was sent from either his Department or the Department of Industry and Commerce to the millers authorising or directing them to increase the prices of bran and pollard by 30/- per ton? That is a current rumour and I would like to ask the Minister whether it is true or not.
I am not in a position to confirm or deny it, but I can assure the Deputy he is free to import pollard or bran from any part of the known or unknown world if he can get it at lower prices. My strong advice to him is, if he can, to import it forthwith as a public-spirited benefactor of the agricultural community, which I do not doubt he is.
Could the Minister state in respect of his own Department if that telegram with a direction from the Minister for Agriculture was sent —whether or not his Department was responsible for that?
I have no function in regard to prices of bran or pollard except to see that every farmer in Ireland can buy it anywhere in the world at the lowest prices he can get anyone to accept for it.
Mr. Lemass
How much did the increase save the Exchequer?
Was there a telegram sent?
Not by the Department of Agriculture.
Will the Minister import it himself in his private capacity?
I will very gladly consider that if it is put forward from the front bench of Fianna Fáil, but I bet it will not be.
Plus a 25 per cent. profit.