asked the Minister for Supplies if there is any prospect of an alternative export market being opened for the large surplus of wool remaining on the farmers' hands owing to the loss of the British market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Surplus.
The conditions as affecting the wool trade in available markets are not favourable at present. The problem of disposing of our exportable surplus is engaging the constant attention of my Department and of the other Departments concerned, but I am not now in a position to make any definite statement on the subject.
And when will the Minister be in a position? Where are the alternative markets he promised the people? Thousands of farmers have got their wool on hands. They have neither money nor storage. The Minister should be ashamed of himself.
Is it correct to say that the reason this wool was accumulated in Ireland is because the Minister prohibited its export to markets which were available for it at a profitable price when these markets were still open?
It is not correct.
Did the Minister make the export of wool subject to licence and refuse to grant licences for the export of wool to Spain or Holland?
The difficulty of disposing of our wool surplus is due to the fact that there is a huge surplus of wool available for which there is no market at the present time. Wool is practically an unsaleable commodity in many parts of the world.
Is it not a fact that 2/6 or, at least, 2/- per lb. was available for every ounce of that wool some months ago and that the Minister refused the wool exporters a licence to export it to the countries in which that price was obtainable?
It is not correct.
I say that it is, Sir.
That does not make it correct.
Let the country judge between us. They know the Minister's reputation too well.
The possibility of disposing of our surplus wool ceased with the German occupation of Holland.
And did not the Minister refuse a licence to despatch it months before that incident took place?
I did not.
You did.
The Deputy is wrong.
The Minister is wrong.
And did not the Minister tell the people to hold it?
I did not.
It appeared in the Press.