asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the new regulation relating to wool buyers in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Buying Regulation.
43.
A register of wool buyers as provided for under the Wool Marketing Act will be set up on 1st April next after which date only registered buyers may continue in business. The main requirements for registration of existing wool buyers is that each applicant has suitable premises. The standards of suitability of premises are laid down in Wool Marketing (Registration Fee and Standards for Premises Plant and Machinery) Regulations 1970 (S.I. No. 85 of 1970) made on 22nd April, 1970. The attention of wool buyers was directed to these regulations by letter last October when advertisements inviting applications for registration were also issued.
Is the Minister aware that several small wool buyers will be put out of business as a result of these regulations? The regulations are that you must have a minimum of——
We cannot have a debate on this. The Deputy has already put a question.
I have asked the Minister whether he is aware that the small wool buyers will be put out of business as a result of these regulations. Would the Minister now consider the position of these people who have traditionally bought wool during the years and whose livelihood has been made out of this business? Does the Minister now consider those regulations are extreme, that they would put them out of business and are a further indication that, while big business will exist in this country, the small man will go?
I do not accept that there is any likelihood of large numbers of small wool-dealers being put out of business. I think the regulations that were introduced for the control of wool quality were long overdue for the protection of the wool market of sheep farmers in this country.
Question No. 44.
Is the Minister aware that these people have to go on a special course in wool grading, that they must have special lighting and special weights, that they must have a minimum of 980 sq. feet——
I have already called Question No. 44. The time is up for questions. Deputy Finn must allow questions to continue.
I think the regulations were long overdue.
Question No. 44.