asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware (a) that instructions have been issued by the Revenue Commissioners to farmers in Mountbolus, Offaly, to consume by fire on 11th March, 1928, tobacco plants grown by them in 1925-26, and whether such instructions represent the considered policy of the Government to this industry; (b) what compensation is likely to be offered to those people for this and previous losses on the growing of this plant, consequent on the rehandlers paying on account sums representing only half the market value of the plant.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TOBACCO GROWING IN OFFALY.
Two tobacco-growers in Offaly have in their possession tobacco, grown in the year 1926, which should have been removed from their premises, in accordance with the regulations, before the 1st July last, but of which they have been unable to dispose. As a risk to the revenue was involved in the continued retention of the tobacco on the premises, the Revenue Commissioners informed those growers in November last that they were unable to permit them to retain the uncured tobacco of 1926 growth in their possession for an indefinite period, and that, in the absence of proposals for curing, they would require the tobacco to be destroyed by fire or other satisfactory means not later than 27th December last, and the time allowed was later extended to the 11th March.
The reply to the latter portion of the question is that no claims for losses alleged to have been incurred by the growers can be entertained. No responsibility can be accepted in respect of tobacco grown since 1923, as the scheme of tobacco-growing experiments had been ended; and during the experimental period, 1913-24, the Department of Agriculture dealt only with the rehandlers, and neither entered into any agreement with growers nor incurred any obligations to them in connection with the experiments.
In view of the answer of the Minister may I ask have these people no option but to destroy this tobacco?
No, except they pay the Excise duty.
Mr. BOLAND
Will the Minister receive representations from those people?
No.