andDr. Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a statement by the General Manager of the Irish Sugar Company that Ireland had sent five thousand tons of sugar to the United States by concession for the purchase of a quantity of coarse grain; and if he will state the amount of grain involved in this transaction, and its cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coarse Grain Purchases in US.
21.
As I stated in reply to a Question by Deputy Donegan on the 15th May, an agreement was signed on 3rd May between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States, providing for the importation into the United States of 5,000 short tons of sugar from Ireland during the period ending 30th June, 1962. In consideration of the importation by Ireland during the calendar year 1962 of 50,000 metric tons of United States yellow corn and grain sorghum over and above the average of such imports during the three years 1959 to 1961. The grain is to be imported by Irish importers through normal trade channels at ordinary commercial prices. Copies of the agreement were presented to the House on the 26th June, 1962.
Is the Minister in a position to say whether this, or a similar arrangement, will be made next year?
I am not.
Is the Minister aware that it has been reported in the papers that a number of interested parties in America have sought to suggest that a great favour was conferred on Ireland by allowing 5,000 tons of sugar into America; that it was alleged there was to be no barter arrangement and that the Irish nation would not have to take coarse grain? May I take it that this was purely a matter of business and that no favour was conferred on this country?
The position is that there was a quantity of sugar to be allocated on a barter basis. That was made known. There was no attempt by the American authorities to conceal it. We had sugar for sale and we wanted coarse grain. I think it was a very sensible arrangement to exchange the sugar for that grain which we would have to import in any case.
Is it not also true that the U.S.A. is, in fact, paying us a price substantially higher than the ruling price in as much as this is part of the Cuban sugar allocation which is being sub-divided? Secondly, is the Minister in a position to say that all provender millers in the country, large and small, will be given an opportunity of participating in these imports or are they being reserved for large millers?
I could not answer that question but, as I said in reply to Deputy McQuillan, the grain is to be imported by Irish importers through normal trade channels at ordinary commercial prices.
The Minister is aware that at one time, in any case, there was a special provision that such imports would be available to anyone who wanted them in six-ton lots at a flat price——
I think that raises an entirely different question.
Am I correct in saying that what is happening now is that these supplies are available only to large millers and that certain small provender millers are being placed in an impossible position for want of access to these imported supplies?
I do not believe that is so.