asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of complaints his Department have received from wheat growers dissatisfied with the testing of their wheat; what action was taken by his Department on the complaints; and in how many cases the complaints were found to be justified.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Classification of Wheat.
40.
As the Deputy is aware it is open to growers who are dissatisfied with the classification of their wheat to lodge an appeal with the Central Wheat Laboratory. Apart from the appeals made to the laboratory three complaints were received in my Department from growers this year. In the first case the appeal facilities had been availed of and the decision that the wheat was unmillable was confirmed. In the second case the appeal facilities had not been availed of and there was, therefore, no effective action open to my Department. In the remaining case the point at issue was one of price. The wheat delivered failed to measure up to the sample originally presented and a lower price was payable. In this case, also, there was no further action which my Department could take in the matter.
Has the Minister no information about the number of cases which were submitted to the laboratory for testing or were there only those three to which he has referred?
The question was as to the number of complaints that my Department had received from wheat growers who were dissatisfied with the testing of wheat and I have replied that it was just these three complaints that we got.
The Minister then does not take into account complaints which were made in any other way than directly to his Department?
I am not aware of other complaints. If it is appeal numbers, that is another question altogether— how many appeals may have been lodged with the wheat laboratory.
The Minister has not got that? Surely, an appeal is a complaint?
It is not to my Department. This is what I am trying to tell the Deputy.
The Minister takes no responsibility?
If the Deputy wants the information, I can certainly get it—742.
Has the Minister any idea as to what percentage were successful?
There were 101 successful; 641 unsuccessful.
One hundred and one out of 700 is still pretty high.
Of course, it is not a match we are playing home or away This is a question of fact.
As far as the farmers are concerned, the loss is far greater than if it was the Minister's favourite soccer team who lost.
The point is, whether soccer, gaelic or rugby, this is not a home or away match. This is a matter where decisions have been taken. If the grower is dissatisfied, there is a procedure of appeal well known to him and published in a little booklet that is circulated for his benefit to guide him as to where to go. Of the 700 appeals made this year, 641 were found not to be justified; 101 were found to be justified.
Would the Minister not agree—I am quite sure he understands that I am not making a personal charge against either him or his Department—that it is a serious matter when 101 wheat growers find they are not getting fair play as far as this matter is concerned?
The fact is that credit must be due to the system that ensures that 101 do get fair play.
I am afraid I am not getting through to the Minister. Surely, he must agree that somebody was taking advantage of these but for the fact that a safeguard was built in? Will the Minister do anything to ensure that it will not happen again?
I am doing it.