asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state the quantities of potatoes available in the country for human food, and the steps which have now been taken to acquire and store adequate quantities for use in the principal urban centres; also, what steps have been taken to ensure that potatoes will be available to poor people at reasonable prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Potatoes.
Mr. O'Sullivan
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is now in a position to indicate in detailed terms the provision made by the Government to ensure that an adequate supply of potatoes will be available to meet the needs of the people of Dublin throughout the spring; and whether he is in a position to state the price at which potatoes will be sold in the city.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether, in view of the threatened shortage of potatoes, he proposes to set up a board to deal with the situation so as to ensure that the supplies available will be equitably distributed; and, if so, whether he will state when such board will be set up, whether it will include representatives of consumers and what its powers will be.
asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps he has taken to ensure an adequate supply of potatoes at reasonable prices to Dublin during the next few months; and, in particular, if he will see that there will be no scarcity on account of lack of transport; and, if necessary, if he will consult with the Minister for Defence with a view to making available Army lorries for the purpose.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will now state what steps he is taking to secure adequate supplies and effective distribution of potatoes in the City of Dublin during the period of the year when potatoes are likely to be scarce in the market; and whether, in particular, he will consider the advisability of setting up the potato committee in time this year in order to avoid the hardship caused to the poor last year by the fact that the committee was set up so late that there was an interval of acute scarcity before it could function.
I propose to take these five questions together.
A substantial reserve of potatoes has now been accumulated for use in Dublin and other urban centres later in the season, should the necessity arise. The necessary arrangements have been made in conjunction with a committee nominated by the Dublin wholesale potato trade. Details in regard to the transport and distribution of the potatoes will be settled in consultation with the trade.
With regard to the price of potatoes, it will be appreciated that the release of potatoes from the reserve should be a stabilising factor. Should it at any time be deemed desirable, however, to fix maximum prices by Order, I have no doubt that the Minister for Supplies will take action accordingly.
It is not possible to state precisely the quantity of potatoes available for human consumption for the reasons explained in my reply to the question asked by Deputy Larkin, Junior, on 11th November, 1943.
May we take it from what the Minister has stated that the store of potatoes now available and presumably under Government control will be sufficient to ensure that there will be no shortage of potatoes in the cities and urban areas until the next crop is available?
I think we will have sufficient supplies.