Agricultural Produce (Cereals) Bill, 1932—Money Resolution.

Mr. MacEntee

I move:

That it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of any expenses incurred under any Act of the present session to make provision for the control and regulation of the businesses of milling wheat and other cereals in Saorstát Eireann with a view to the development of those businesses in the national interest, and also to make provisions calculated to promote and encourage the growing of certain cereals in Saorstát Eireann, and to provide for divers matters ancillary to, consequential on, or connected with those matters or otherwise in furtherance of the objects aforesaid.

Mr. McGilligan

Can we have any idea as between one pound and one million pounds what this is going to cost?

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

The approximate charge likely to arise in the current year will be about £51,000, and in the following year about £200,000.

Mr. McGilligan

How will that be divided as between subsidies on inland mills, subsidies for wheat alone, and the operation of Part VIII of the Bill?

Mr. Lemass

The subsidy upon wheat is estimated to cost £120,000 in a full year—in the year 1933-34.

Mr. McGilligan

Is that in the cereal year?

Mr. Lemass

No, the financial year 1933-34. It is not so easy to say what the subsidy, if any, paid to inland mills will cost. Certain amendments, as the Deputy knows, are being proposed to the Bill, and it is not anticipated that the subsidy will amount to more than £40,000 at the outside, in a full year.

Mr. McGilligan

What about Part VIII?

Mr. Lemass

It is impossible, of course, to give any estimate of the possible cost under that part of the Bill. It is not anticipated that any cost will arise in the present year. In any event, the money provided in respect to that part of the Bill will require a Vote of the Oireachtas and, consequently, a discussion will take place here.

Professor O'Sullivan

Has the Minister any idea as to the ultimate cost of the Bill? He gave it just for one year. I presume, in connection with this policy, the Ministry have some idea as to what the ultimate cost of the Bill will be under the various headings.

Mr. Lemass

The ultimate cost will depend very largely upon the extent to which the growing of wheat will commend itself to farmers. It is anticipated that it will be £200,000 in 1933-34. I do not think it would be wise to make an estimate for a later period until the experience of that year has been ascertained.

Professor O'Sullivan

Has the Minister any idea what it may amount to in the conception of the Ministry if their policy is completely successful?

Mr. Lemass

It depends upon too many variable factors to make a reliable estimate.

Mr. McGilligan

The Minister stated that it was expected there would be a charge of £120,000 for subsidising wheat grown in the financial year 1933-34, so that there will be no charge arising between this and 1st April, 1933?

Mr. Lemass

That is correct.

Mr. McGilligan

Will the Minister say on what that sum of £120,000 is based? There are two factors on which he can, at any rate, indicate that sum certainly: what acreage it is expected will be attracted, and what is the price per acre; in other words, what is to be the difference between the actual price obtained for wheat and the price given in the Schedule?

Mr. Lemass

The estimate is based upon present prices, and an anticipated growing of wheat to the extent of about 65,000 acres.

Mr. McGilligan

65,000 acres producing an average of how much wheat to the acre and at what price per barrel?

Mr. Lemass

The estimate is a yield of 16 cwts. of milling wheat per acre.

Mr. McGilligan

What is the price described as the present price?

Mr. Lemass

The present level of prices. I do not know what they are.

Mr. McGilligan

Surely somebody knows.

Mr. Lemass

Do you not know yourself?

Mr. McGilligan

It is not my business to know about it.

Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney

The estimate given by the Minister for Agriculture of the total area expected under wheat was 65,000 acres. Does the Minister suggest that that area of wheat will be millable, and that the wheat will be put upon the market?

Minister for Agriculture (Dr. Ryan)

No, 16 cwts. per acre.

Mr. McGilligan

We are told that there is to be a subsidy of £120,000 paid in 1933-34 on a yield of 16 cwts.

Dr. Ryan

No.

Mr. McGilligan

We are told that it is based upon the selling of 16 cwts. from each acre cultivated, and that there are to be 65,000 acres cultivated in that year. Might I ask at what price is this to be sold—what is the price upon which the subsidy will have to be paid?

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Wednesday, 23 Nov 1932

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Nov 1932