asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the Government will decide on the number of acres of potatoes which should be planted each year, as is done in England, and thereby avoid an excessive shortage or surplus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Acreage.
51.
I do not consider it necessary to adopt such a procedure as the potato price support scheme which I introduced last year is designed to avoid the difficulties to which the Deputy refers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that owing to low prices this year there is a danger that there will be a shortage of potatoes again this time next year?
I do not think so. It is true that potato production has been falling progressively over the past 30 years. It was down from 400,000 acres in the 1940s to 109,000 acres in 1972. The figure in 1972 was the lowest. It moved up again to 119,000 in 1973. The British system referred to in the question is very complex and is unnecessary in this country.
Last year I asked the Minister for a guaranteed price and he fixed it at £16. I mentioned the danger of a scarcity because that was too low. I appreciated the fact that he guaranteed any price but it was too low.
The Deputy is making a statement rather than asking a question.
The consumption of potatoes has been falling steadily.
Question No. 52.