asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total quantity and value of butter imported into Eire in the year 1937.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Butter.
The quantity of butter imported in the year 1937 was 12,952 cwts. value for approximately £63,134.
Does it appear that the Minister will have to import more butter from the Antipodes in this year?
Probably a little.
Am I correct in saying that two months ago, when the Minister was discussing the Supplementary Estimate, he assured the House that the necessity for importing butter from abroad could never arise again?
Possibly, I did, because at that time we had at least 16,000 or 20,000 cwts. more butter than we had in previous years, when we had enough, but the consumption of butter has increased so much this year that we may have to import a little. Consumption has gone up by 15 per cent.
You sell the butter in Germany and bring it back from Australia. A most economic policy.
Our people are eating very much more butter now than they used to.
From New Zealand, while the Germans are eating Irish butter.
If we do import butter this year, it will be less than one day's supply.
That is what the Minister says now, but two months ago he said that there would be none imported.