asked the Minister for Agriculture whether any export market is available for ware potatoes; and whether the Potato Marketing Board is prepared to purchase ware potatoes for export and, if so, at what price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export Market for Ware Potatoes.
48.
At present, only limited export markets are available for ware potatoes and prices generally are not attractive. The Irish Potato Marketing Company which has already arranged for the export of some small consignments to the West Indies, Majorca and the Canary Islands, is in close touch with the position in potato importing countries and as suitable outlets are found will be prepared to purchase ware for export at prices related to those obtainable on the export market.
Is it the intention of the Potato Marketing Board to make public the prices they are in a position to offer generally?
They do not seem anxious to do so for trade reasons. I am, of course, in possession of information with regard to the prices but they always make the request that, for reasons of competition, they should not be made known.
I quite see the force of that, but I am wondering if the Minister would agree with me that the knowledge that such exports can go on does create a desire in the counties that habitually deal in ware potatoes for some guidance on the price of such potatoes destined for export. I fully appreciate the difficulty in informing our competitors and consignees but perhaps the Minister would consider whether some general indication could be made available from time to time?
I entirely sympathise with that viewpoint. I have, as I say, information as to the prices at which the small consignments have been dispatched and, having regard to the prices available for commercial and industrial purposes in this country, if and when the alcohol factories open their doors, they need not have any fears of losing anything because of the fact that the information to which the Deputy refers is not immediately available.
Might I ask the Minister if he is making any attempt to find a market for the surplus potatoes?
As I have said in reply to the question, it is the business of the Potato Marketing Board to deal with that matter. I am aware that they are doing their best in that regard but, apparently, the market is not available, that is, a market which would be profitable to us.
If Deputy Dillon were over there, it would be, God help them.
Not a bit of sympathy for me at all.
None.