asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the loss, in tons, which has occurred in the production of nitrogen at the Nítrigin Éireann factory at Arklow, County Wicklow; the normal spring wholesale sales of this fertiliser; the amount already sold to the wholesale trade; and if he will ensure that any deficiency will be substituted for during the present spring usage season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nitrogen Production.
31.
Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta are engaged in competitive business and I do not think they should be required to give such details as are asked for in the question about their day to day trading position. The Deputy will have seen newspaper reports quoting the company as saying that adequate supplies of nitrogenous fertilisers have been acquired by the wholesale trade prior to the stoppage at the company's plant.
I do not think there is any danger of a shortage of nitrogenous fertilisers here.
If the Minister does not consider himself justified in answering the first part of my question, that is his right and I accept it. However, regarding the second part of the question, that is, the normal spring wholesale sales, can the Minister say if there are ordinary figures available in his Department that he could give me?
Normally one-third of the company's produce of nitrogenous fertilisers are sold during the spring season.
How much of this has gone to the wholesale trade; how much is in the hands of wholesalers and how much is in the farmers' hands?
I have not got details of the quantities but my understanding is that there are sufficient amounts with the wholesalers to meet requirements.