asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reasons for the scarcity and high price of potatoes, cauliflowers, and cabbage during the past two weeks; and if any arrangements are being made to provide future supplies at prices which the working classes can afford to pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Vegetables in Dublin.
The incidence of blight in the 1944 potato crop in most of the areas from which Dublin's supplies are drawn was unusually severe and further substantial damage was caused by the heavy frosts of last January. These are the main factors responsible for the decrease in supplies of potatoes to Dublin.
The scarcity of cauliflowers and cabbages is due to damage caused to these crops by the severe weather last January.
The increase in the prices of potatoes, cauliflowers and cabbage is due to the reduction in supplies.
The reserve stocks of potatoes which were accumulated by my Department for use in the event of a shortage are now being marketed in Dublin. This should ease the potato position to some extent. As regards cauliflowers and cabbage, supplies must always be dependent on weather conditions.
Will the Minister deal with the last lines of the question asking "if any arrangements are being made to provide future supplies at prices which the working classes can afford to pay"? Can he give any promise that there will be potatoes and vegetables in the shops at reasonable prices, or can he say who is getting the present prices? Is it the middle-men? The producers are not getting one-fourth of the prices that are demanded in the city shops.
I think I answered the Deputy's query regarding potatoes. I said that I thought the position in that regard would be eased and I stated that prices depended on supplies. I also stated that the price of cauliflowers and cabbage depends on circumstances outside my control.
If there are certain supplies of cauliflowers and cabbage available why are certain people charging 1/6 and 1/10 per head for cauliflowers when the producer only gets 2d. or 3d. per head? Who is getting the difference?
I do not know if the Deputy's figures are correct.
Approximately 3/- per stone was charged for potatoes in Dublin last week. Does the Minister not realise that producers are not getting that price, and will he take steps to ensure that prices will be brought to a reasonable level, so that persons who are unable to pay 3/- per stone will be able to get potatoes?
Would the Minister avail of the Emergency Powers Act to deal with that matter?
Is it not in the power of the Minister for Supplies to control prices?
The question was addressed to one Minister and the Deputy cannot pop from one Minister to another.
Surely the Minister is not going to allow his stock of potatoes to be sold at 3/- a stone?
I hope not. It is an extremely difficult matter to control.
The Minister will agree that he will not allow his stock of potatoes to be marketed and sold at 3/- per stone. He will take some precautions in that respect?
An attempt will be made to have them sold at reasonable prices.