asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what agreements have been made for the export of Irish butter during 1969; and if he will state in the case of each country with which an agreement has been made (a) the quantity of butter involved and (b) what price per pound will be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Butter Exports.
20.
Information as to the quantities of butter which An Bord Bainne have agreed to export to purchasers in countries abroad and as to the prices being obtained in those countries would be of advantage to the board's competitors and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to publish it.
Is the Minister embarrassed to admit that you can buy Irish creamery butter in Strabane for half the price that the Donegal people have to pay for it in Lifford?
Personally, I do not buy butter in Strabane so I would not know.
I am not suggesting that but the Minister is forcing——
(Interruptions.)
Can the Minister give us the reason why this information should not be made known?
I have given the reasons.
Could the Minister repeat them as I did not hear them?
The reason is that it would be of use to our competitors in butter marketing and, therefore, I am advised that it would be inappropriate information to make public at this time. It could be to our disadvantage.
Could the Minister give me the information privately and I will not disclose it?
If the Deputy puts his mind to it and takes note of what I have said publicly it will be possible to make a fairly accurate deduction.
He will be the first ever to make sense out of it.