asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that, at the recent wool sales at Sydney, Australian wool was sold at prices ranging from 10 to 60 per cent. above last year's controlled prices; that in Ireland wool is being sold at from 20 to 40 per cent. below last year's controlled prices; whether he is satisfied that Irish farmers are receiving a fair price for their wool this year; and if not, whether he will permit the export of wool so that it may be sold at competitive prices at home or abroad, wherever the best price is offered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Prices.
Licences are freely given for the export of approximately 75 per cent. of the total Irish wool clip which can be sold wherever the best price is offered. The balance of the clip comprising the finer types of wool must be retained for home consumption until such time as reasonable supplies of Merino wool are again available. The realised price for this wool in the Dublin market is higher than the price of imported wool of comparable quality.
I am aware that Australian wool prices recently increased above last year's level and that the present level of Irish wool prices is below that allowed when prices were controlled. This does not, however, imply that Irish wool could realise a higher price if there was complete freedom of export. The controlled prices here for the last few years were well above contemporary world prices.
If it is true that controlled prices here are well above world prices, what is the necessity for imposing restrictions on exports? In fact, if you require a person to have a licence in order to export wool, you create a ring of licensed exporters who agree on an unduly low price between them and refuse to offer the Irish farmer who has wool for sale any more than that low price. If you are paying higher prices here, why not take control off altogether?
We cannot get enough of the finer wools.
You are allowing 75 per cent. out.
The 25 per cent. we are keeping is necessary.
If we are paying a higher price here, as the Minister says, than is ruling in the world market, will not the quantity of wool that this country requires be kept here because the Irish farmer will get a higher price for it at home? There will be no inducement to send it abroad. What, in fact, is happening is that the wool dealers are forming a ring, and because they are the only people who can send wool abroad they are apparently in a position to tell the Irish farmer that they will give him so much and no more. If the Irish farmer refuses to sell to them he may leave the wool in the pack in his store until the maggots eat it.
The Deputy is now making a speech.
Why do you want to keep control on?
I see the point. All that I can say is that this matter will be reconsidered at the end of the year.
Will the Minister himself look into it?
Will the Minister for Agriculture take this matter out of the hands of the Minister for Industry and Commerce?
I cannot answer for the Minister for Industry and Commerce on that point.
He is going to put 10 per cent. on sulphate of ammonia in spite of you.