asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what are the terms of reference of the Prices Advisory Body in connection with the application for an increase in fertiliser prices; whether it is proposed to fix fertiliser prices on a cost-plus basis, without reference to either international prices or agricultural prices, which in many cases have declined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Prices.
While no formal terms of reference have been laid down, it will be the function of the Prices Advisory Body, in investigating the application by the manufacturers for an increase in the price of superphosphates, to consider whether, or to what extent, the application should be granted, having regard to recent increases in production costs. In considering the application, the advisory body will have regard to all the relevant circumstances.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why, despite public protest by farmers' representatives at last year's meeting of the Prices Advisory Body, only ten days' notice was given for the presentation of evidence in connection with the application for an increase in fertiliser prices.
The Prices Advisory Body announced in the Irish daily newspapers of Monday, 24th October, 1955, their intention to hold a public inquiry on 11th November, 1955, to investigate an application for an increase in the price of superphosphates. Accordingly, the various interested bodies and organisations had a period of 18 days to prepare their evidence for presentation at the public sitting. This position was not affected by the request made to certain organisations on 26th October, 1955, to furnish by 4th November, 1955, a summary of the evidence they proposed to give at the inquiry.
If any interested persons or organisations feel that they have not had sufficient time to prepare for the inquiry, I have no doubt that the Prices Advisory Body will be prepared to consider any submissions made to them after the inquiry and, if necessary, to reopen the inquiry at a later date.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is the policy of his Department that the precedent set by the superphosphate industry in raising prices above world levels, irrespective of world trends, will be followed in respect of the proposed nitrogenous manure industry.
I am not prepared to accept the implication in the first part of the question.
The question of manufacturing nitrogenous fertilisers in this country is still under consideration and I am not in a position at present to make a statement in the matter. The Deputy can be assured, however, that, in my examination of this proposal, due regard will be had to all the factors involved, including the question of prices.