asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in regard to the allocation of licences to import onions; if he will make a statement in connection with the manner in which licences are allocated and the basis on which they are allocated; and if he will state the price per lb. of onions at present chargeable to the housewife, and the price this time last year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Onion Import Licences.
33.
I am not so aware. Owing to the late season the quantity of onions imported before the usual ban on imports was imposed on 10th May last has proved insufficient to meet the demand until the home crop is available and I have, therefore, decided to allow a limited quantity of onions to be imported under licence. In accordance with established practice licences are being granted to all firms which imported onions during the "open period" in the last three years, that is, the period when any firm which so desired was able to import onions without limitation as to quantity. I have no information regarding retail prices, but I understood that Chilean onions on Dublin market last week were sold at up to 55s. per four stone bag as compared with 34s. in the corresponding week of last season.