asked the Minister for Agriculture whether any representations have been made to him in regard to payment for consignments of Irish eggs to the Spanish market; whether he is aware that certain exporters have not received payment for their consignments to date and whether he is prepared to indemnify exporters to this alternative market for any losses arising under the Irish-Spanish trade agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Egg Exports to Spain.
Dr. Ryan
I have received complaints from exporters of eggs to Spain, that while payments have been lodged in Spanish currency in Spanish banks for the credit of the exporters, there has been delay on the part of the Spanish Government in issuing the necessary permits which would enable the exporters to obtain the equivalent in our currency from the banks. The Department of External Affairs has been making and continues to make representations through the Saorstát Minister at Madrid to the Spanish Authorities with a view to their expediting the release of the necessary foreign exchange.
I see no reason why an indemnity should be given.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, in the event of the Department of External Affairs being unable to arrange with the Spanish Government for the release of sufficient currency to pay the debts due to egg exporters to Spain, will the Government agree to pay these egg exporters themselves and use the credits lodged in Spanish currency in the Spanish banks to recoup themselves subsequently?
Dr. Ryan
That is a different question.
The Minister has admitted that the persons who exported those eggs to Spain are unable to get paid because the Spanish Government is unable to release Spanish currency or to issue the necessary permits which would enable the egg exporters to obtain payment in our currency from the banks. The Minister admits that the Department of External Affairs has been making representations to the Spanish Government, and when I ask the Minister whether he is prepared to indemnify the egg exporters for any losses arising from this alternative market under the Irish-Spanish trade agreement, he says he sees no reason for adopting that course. Will the Minister consider, in the event of the Department of External Affairs failing in their representations, the taking of other credits in the exchanges between this country and Spain and using them for the purpose of having these payments made to our exporters?
The Deputy will agree that that is a new question.
Dr. Ryan
The exporters are being paid.
It comes, Sir, within the scope of my question as to indemnifying exporters to the alternative market in Spain, and I suggest that if an actual indemnity is not practicable the Government should take the other course.
A Minister may not be asked a hypothetical question.
If the payments from Spain are delayed, is the Minister taking any steps to help the merchants here who cannot carry on their business without money?
They will get delayed payments.
Is the Minister aware that similar difficulties elsewhere have led to arrangements being made and will the Minister agree to the setting up of a clearing house between the two countries?