asked the Minister for Agriculture why there is a shortage of barley contracts; and if he will take steps in the interests of farmers who cannot get a contract, who find that they cannot produce feeding barley at a profit, and whose lands are suited to production of malting barley.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Barley Contracts.
22.
I have no function in regard to malting barley contracts. I understand that the reduction in contracts is due to the general market situation.
In view of the fact there are many farmers in the barley growing areas whose lands are suitable for growing barley and who have no way of storing feeding barley for their own use, what steps does the Minister propose to take to see that contracts will be made available for such people? What are they to grow? Their lands are suitable for growing barley, but they cannot get contracts. They cannot get sale for wheat and their lands are unsuitable for any other crop.
Apparently those who require this barley for malting purposes are fairly good judges of the quantities they require. As I said in reply to the Deputy, I have no function at all in regard to this matter.
In view of the fact that the Minister has no function in relation to milk and wheat and now in relation to barley, what are his functions?
That is a separate question.
I am not prepared to concede that I have not got a number of functions in some of these matters to which the Deputy has referred.
Surely the Minister must safeguard the barley growers?
I am calling Question No. 23.