asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the report commissioned in 1969 on the prospects for Irish tomatoes, mushrooms and glasshouse crops in the British market was not published; and if he will indicate the recommendations in this report which were implemented and those which were not implemented, giving reasons in the case of the latter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tomatoes, Mushrooms and Glasshouse Crops.
20.
As the report was of a commercial character for the guidance of producers and my Department it was not considered appropriate that the contents should be published. The findings therein were discussed by the author at a meeting attended by glasshouse growers organised by my Department. The various findings in the report have been taken into account in the assessment of export development prospects for horticultural crops as circumstances have required.
Is the Minister trying to tell the House that the only publicity this report got was from one meeting attended by the author?
That is right.
Would the Minister not consider that if this report was worth commissioning it was worth placing in the hands of every producer?
The author and the growers concerned did have a consultation.
A consultation, not any more than that. Why did the Minister not send them the report?
For the reasons I have stated in my reply.
They are not reasons.
Did all the growers attend that meeting?
I have not got a record of the attendance at that meeting.
Were they all invited?
It will be easy to put all of them in one room after another 12 or 18 months.
How long is it since the horticultural producers were promised a marketing organisation and a grading system and is there any sign of this materialising?
This is one aspect of many that is dealt with in the report we are discussing.