asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, through his intervention or the intervention of the Government, the price which Irish farmers are at present paying for fertilisers, other than phosphates, will be reduced during the present financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Fertilisers.
Major de Valera
As nitrogenous and potassic fertilisers have not been subject to customs duty, purchasers have been entirely free to obtain their requirements thereof at world prices and, accordingly, there has been no necessity for intervention by the Government in that connection.
Major de Valera
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply there would be no Government action to reduce the present—note the word "present"— price of fertilisers?
I think the Deputy may properly infer from my reply that as this Party never put a tax on potash or nitrate we have not got to take it off.
Major de Valera
Could I ever induce the Minister to give me a simple answer to a very simple question: will the price of fertilisers, as payable today, be reduced within the current financial year by Government intervention? Yes or no?
I think I have given the Deputy a full answer.
Major de Valera
Could I ever get a "yes" or a "no"?
There is also the traditional question as to whether I have stopped beating my wife, an invitation which I must respectfully decline.
Major de Valera
As the Minister has widened the field, may I ask when will he stop murdering agriculture?
I thought there was that implication in the Deputy's query.