asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what was the purpose of his recent visit to Spain; and if he explored the possibility of selling Irish produce there.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Visit to Spain.
29.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what was the result of his visit to Spain.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
As already announced, the purpose of my visit to Spain last week was to discuss agricultural trade matters with Spanish Ministers with particular reference to market prospects for Irish exports of cattle and beef. During my visit to Madrid, I had useful discussions with the Spanish Minister for Commerce and the Spanish Minister for Agriculture on trade prospects and as a result I am satisfied that Spain will provide a continuing and expanding import market for beef. The Spanish system of purchasing; which is operated through a State agency, presents some problems but if these can be overcome and provided that we can meet the price terms quoted by our competitors, there is a reasonable chance of securing some business.
Will the Minister not make a more clear-cut statement on his visit to Spain? The reply he has given is very vague. Does he not recall that quite recently when I put down a similar question and I told him that cattle and sheep were unsaleable at fairs he said the question was a stupid question? In view of the thousands of marchers in this city today, does the Minister now realise that my question was not a stupid question, as he alleged?
I apologise to the Deputy for using the word "stupid". It was not a very parliamentary expression and was used in the heat of the moment. I think my reply in connection with my visit to Spain is very comprehensive. If there is any other information the Deputy would like to have, if he puts down a question, I shall try to answer it.
Having regard to the advertisement published by his Parliamentary Secretary in the Press, indicating that he was in Spain seeking a market for the export of cattle from this country, can the Minister now say what number of cattle will be exported to Spain as a result of the visit?
A couple of bulls for the bullring.
This may disappoint the Deputy, but, as a result of the very comprehensive round of discussions which my Parliamentary Secretary had with all sorts of people in Madrid, there is a real prospect of doing some business.
What number of cattle will be exported as a result?
Time will tell.
The farmers want to know now. It is no good to say: "Live horse and you will get grass."
"A real prospect"— is that your best?
Could I ask the Minister if it is not a fact that exporters had been in Spain before the Minister and had made contacts and there were prospects of orders? Is it to be taken from the Minister's reply that an exporter or trader is not at liberty to do business with Spain unless he goes through the State or the Spanish Government?
The situation in Spain is very complicated. We did export—and full marks to the individual private enterprise firm here who did it—one order comprising 1,200 tons of beef to Spain in 1965. We did succeed in getting one contract. My visit to Spain and the visit of my Parliamentary Secretary, was to do what we could at official ministerial and diplomatic level to clear the channels and, naturally, our visit must be followed by a determined, resolute effort by private enterprise, by the traditional exporters.
My point is that they were there before the Minister. I am not condemning the Minister's visit.
Who have the red faces now?