asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has considered the advisability of prohibiting the export of potatoes and oats from Tirconaill in view of the acute distress at present prevailing in congested areas in that county; if he is aware that potatoes are at present being bought up rapidly at high prices in the tillage districts of East and North Tirconaill for export through the Port of Derry, and if he will state at what price officials of his Department are at present buying potatoes in Tyrone for seed supplies in Tirconaill.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POTATO EXPORTS FROM TIRCONAILL.
Mr. O'HIGGINS (replying for the Minister for Agriculture)
It would be inadvisable to stop export of potatoes from any one particular place. Farmers in the tillage districts of North and East Tirconaill, in common with farmers in other parts of the country, have established an export trade, especially in potatoes of which they grow annually an area considerably in excess of that required for their own use.
To prevent these men from marketing their produce in the ordinary course (with a view to enabling small farmers in the areas in which there is a shortage to obtain supplies of potatoes on better conditions than it is now open to them to procure such supplies) would constitute so grave an interference with trade conditions as to render it impossible of justification. If it be decided that special schemes of seed supplies for the congested areas in Tirconaill are to be adopted, it will be open to the authorities responsible for the working of such schemes to procure the necessary supplies either in East Tirconaill or elsewhere as market prices render most prudent. In no circumstances can it be expected that the prices to be paid for such potatoes can be less than that at which the growers are able to dispose of them in the open market.
The potatoes at present being purchased by the Department in Tyrone and adjoining counties are of special varieties immune from Black Scab, and are being purchased for supply on special terms to small farmers in certain areas in Tirconaill in which Black Scab disease has appeared. It would not be possible to procure in the county the quantities of these potatoes required for this purpose. All the available supplies of immune varieties in the county are being bought under this scheme. When purchases were begun some weeks ago the price paid for these potatoes was £6 to £6 10s. per ton, but prices are hardening steadily, and those now being paid range up to £7 10s and £8 per ton, and vary almost from day to day.
Arising out of that answer, is the Minister aware that in the year 1917 the export of potatoes and oats was prohibited?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I do not know whether the responsible Minister is aware of that or not.
Further, arising out of that question, does the Minister consider it a prudent course to allow potatoes and oats to be exported when they are absolutely necessary for seed and food purposes in Tirconaill?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I would ask the Deputy to understand the position. The Minister for Agriculture asked me to read this reply. He is not present, and I can only ask the Deputy to put down for him any further question bearing on the matter.
Thank you.