asked the Minister for Supplies whether he received from Miss Sheehan, Main Street, Charleville, County Cork, a complaint regarding her inability to obtain the tea ration to which she is entitled; whether he is aware that on February 28th last the grocer with whom she was registered returned Miss Sheehan's tea ration card and refused to continue supplying her with tea; whether he is further aware that Miss Sheehan failed to obtain tea elsewhere in the town and that consequently since February last seven people, including four young children, were unable to obtain any tea whatever and that for more than two months they have received no sugar; whether two letters addressed to his Department by Miss Sheehan remain unanswered and that it was only when she sent a letter by registered post that she received any acknowledgment from his Department; whether, in the Department's reply, Miss Sheehan was informed that it was up to herself to find a grocer in Charleville to supply her with tea, and whether he can now state if a local grocer is willing to take up Miss Sheehan's tea ration card he will make an allocation of three and a half ounces of tea per week to such grocer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Ration.
Complaint has been received from Miss Sheehan regarding her inability to obtain her tea and sugar rations and her complaint was specially investigated by an inspector of my Department, who experienced great difficulty in inducing any trader to accept Miss Sheehan's registration card. A local trader has, however, now indicated his willingness to supply Miss Sheehan and arrangements have been made accordingly.
When the Minister says that arrangements have been made accordingly, does that mean that he undertakes to supply tea to the local trader who has taken Miss Sheehan's card, and is he in a position to do that in all similar cases in every part of the country?
I am giving no general undertaking, but in this case arrangements have been made to secure for this lady a trader who is willing to supply her.
Will that trader be given the appropriate ration of tea?
The trader already has a sufficient quantity.
If he has not, it will be forthcoming? Does the Minister desire representations of that kind to be made to him by traders where persons are unable to get tea from their usual suppliers and wish to transfer their registration cards? Does he desire persons to communicate with him asking for permission to take a tea registration card on the condition that they will get supplies of tea?
A merchant cannot transfer the registration card of a customer without receiving permission to do so.
Is it worth while? There is no use sending the Minister applications which are futile. Is it worth while making that application to the Minister if it is conditional on the Minister directing Tea Importers Limited to make tea available to meet the transferred ration card?
Tea will be made available in every case in which the Department of Supplies requires the trader to take on an additional customer.
That is all I want.