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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 1956

Vol. 160 No. 15

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Indian Tea.

Major de Valera

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the price and terms of payment at which Tea Importers, Limited, have secured supplies in India during the current year; and what payments in respect of such supplies are outstanding.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have already had occasion in recent weeks in reply to questions in Dáil Éireann to draw attention to the fact that the private affairs of commercial concerns cannot be made the subject of questions and answers in the Dáil.

I would remind the Deputy that, in so far as the purchase of tea is concerned, Tea Importers Ltd. act as a commercial concern. The transactions to which the Deputy refers are commercial transactions in the fullest sense and I think that, on the face of it, it would be improper to furnish the information asked for. Indeed, the Board of Tea Importers Ltd. have advised me that were such information to be made public they would be placed at a disadvantage vis-a-vis other buyers in the world markets.

I may say, however, that the bulk of the company's requirements is obtained in public sale and that the price is governed by the demand in the particular auction. The terms of sale are as laid down in the rules or the terms and conditions of sale of the organisation holding the auctions. Where tea is bought privately the price is the subject of bargaining and negotiation as are also the terms.

The basis on which the tea is bought is such that at any point of time it may be said that the company would probably owe for one week's purchases. The amount of the payments outstanding would, of course, vary according to the scale of the buying in the previous week.

Major de Valera

The Minister then declines to give the information. Will the Minister say whether, for some of the transactions of that concern, it is necessary from time to time for the Minister to give ministerial approval or sanction?

So far as Tea Importers is concerned, it is a State-sponsored body. It operates for the purpose of purchasing and distributing tea and the only thing for which it comes to the State from time to time is for guarantees for the money which it needs to carry on its activities. It ought to get a chance of carrying on its activities without being nagged at in this way.

Major de Valera

The Minister does exercise ministerial acts in the nature of guarantees and decisions. Is that the fact?

No. The fact is that the State guarantees the moneys which Tea Importers require to finance them in the purchasing of tea.

Major de Valera

The Minister is obviously very unwilling to give the House information, and rather nervous I should imagine.

There is no question of nervousness in the matter at all. What the Deputy wants to do is to rip open the accounts of the company and its transactions to the advantage of the foreigner. I want to get a chance for this company.

Major de Valera

That is not true. The Deputy merely wants information from the Minister with reference to ministerial acts and ministerial decisions and guarantees, not with reference to any private transaction.

The Deputy should have learned something for his period in this House.

Major de Valera

We shall come back to it again.

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