asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will arrange that licences for pollard will be issued through An Bord Gráin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pollard Import Licences.
22.
I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by issuing licences for the importation of pollard through An Bord Gráin.
It is quite impossible for An Bord Gráin to regulate the quantities of any cereal they think they should have or keep if they have not control over the imports of offals. Is the Minister not aware that, early last summer, this is what left them with 40,000 tons of Irish barely and 20,000 tons of unmillable wheat? They had, as it were, to blackmail certain compounders to buy it before they could get other necessary ingredients for their compounds and get stores cleared for the 1966 crop.
I think An Bord Gráin handled the situation very well in the very difficult circumstances of last year and I am not aware that the Board, as such sought these powers.
Can the Minister give any reason as to why he leaves them in the position that they are responsible and not responsible at the same time? Surely there is no good reason why all licences should not be issued through the Board, if they are held responsible?
If the Board wish to make any representations to me about it, I will consider them.