asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that considerable quantities of parsnips and carrots are being allowed to decay in the ground in County Dublin, as there is no market for these vegetables; whether he can arrange a market for these vegetables, or if he will consider having them recovered and sent to Europe by the Irish Red Cross Society for the relief of distress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parsnips and Carrots.
My information is that supplies of parsnips to the Dublin Market this season have been meeting with a steady demand and that so far there has been no glut. If supplies are found to be in excess of home requirements the issue of export licences will be favourably considered.
The supply of carrots this season to the Dublin Market is not likely to exceed the demand, and my Department has not received applications for licences to export carrots from County Dublin growers.
I am prepared to agree with the Minister as regards carrots, but is the Minister aware that parsnips are decaying in the ground in North County Dublin because it does not pay to market parsnips at the present price, and can he arrange an alternative market for parsnips? I should like to know from the Minister has he made any investigation in the Rush and Skerries areas as regards the parsnips that are in the ground.
There is something like 300 to 400 tons of carrots lying in the Castlegregory area in my constituency, and I would ask the Minister to give the matter serious consideration. These poor people are suffering great losses because they cannot dispose of the carrots.
As far as my information goes, the parsnips in County Dublin are not decaying, and we have to wait to make sure we have enough parsnips for ourselves before we allow them to be exported. The same would apply to carrots, both in Dublin and County Kerry.
Has the Minister investigated the matter?
Yes.