asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the tonnage of urea, net nitrate and other nitrogen fertiliser products which have been imported into this country; the reason for the importation of these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nitrogen Fertiliser Imports.
4.
(Limerick East): Details of straight nitrogen fertiliser imports into Ireland in the years 1984 and 1985 were as follows:
|
Description of product |
1984 |
1985 |
|
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
|
|
Urea |
34,000 |
22,000 |
|
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) |
154,000 |
220,000 |
|
Other straight nitrogen products |
64,000 |
98,000 |
|
Total |
252,000 |
340,000 |
Official statistics in respect of the period January to April 1986 are not yet available.
Fertilisers are freely traded in the EC Community and, as an agricultural nation, we are open to imports of marginally priced products. In an open market, it is only in cases where dumping from third countries or unfair trading practices on the part of EC countries can be proved that action can be taken to prevent such practices. It would, of course, be a matter for the Irish industry in the first instance to produce evidence of dumping or unfair trading practices if it felt that such practices obtained and that corrective action was called for.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present attitude of the management of NET towards the pricing of nitrogen products and especially urea? It is a matter which is causing concern as it is creating much importation. Irish farmers and the agricultural industry in general are quite disturbed about this. It will create job losses.
In the course of a debate here yesterday the Chief Whip of the Deputy's party laid it on the line that it was a matter for the Ceann Comhairle to conduct Question Time in accordance with Standing Orders, or words to that effect. I intend to get a grip on Question Time and I am not going to allow speeches.
I am not making a speech. There is a large plant in my constituency where there will be job losses unless the present attitude of management changes. They are not prepared to adjust their prices to bring them into line with those in Europe.
That is a statement. I am calling the next question.
On a point of order, I wish to ask——
It is not a point of order.
When you stood up to lecture us about the running of Question Time, a Cheann Comhairle, you indicated that you would have to keep to the Standing Orders. I tried to ask supplementary questions and they were disallowed.
Standing Orders give complete discretion to the Chair as to the relevance and number of supplementaries. If some Deputies exhaust what I think is reasonable time I will not allow some other Deputy to come in.
The Minister was rising to answer my supplementary and you immediately called the next question. I am entitled to an answer. I seldom put a question on the Order Paper in recent times. This is a cause of concern.
Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
Of course I will.