asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the grave concern among farmers in County Donegal concerning the importation of potatoes in view of the large quantities of potatoes still on their hands; and if he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Imports.
4.
There is at present a strong demand of potatoes and this had resulted in a considerable reduction in the supplies available in County Donegal. Indications are that by the end of the present season few, if any, growers there will be left with good quality potatoes on hands. Small quantities of particular varieties suitable for processing, which are generally unavailable in the county, are being imported from Northern Ireland. I am satisfied that the steps I have recently taken to regulate imports of potatoes from outside the EEC have had the effect of ensuring that Irish growers will be able to clear their supplies this season.
Is the Minister giving a guarantee that all good ware potatoes will be bought up in County Donegal?
On the basis of the way in which supplies are clearing at present and the information we have with regard to existing supplies in Donegal, that appears to be the position.
Is the Minister aware that Cyprus potatoes have now reached London and there is always a danger of them coming in here? We understand that there is a licensing system in operation. Can the Minister guarantee that Cyprus potatoes will not reach this country before all the ware potatoes are bought up?
The order which the Minister for Agriculture introduced restricting imports from Cyprus is intended to do what the Deputy suggests. There is no application for a licence before the Minister and there is no intention of granting one.
What the Minister intends to do is one thing. I am asking for a guarantee that these potatoes will not be allowed in here while ware potatoes produced by our own producers are still on the market.
The Deputy can be certain that the order was introduced by the Minister to achieve the result he seeks to achieve.
That is an evasion.