asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any of the sugar, sent by Ireland to the International Red Cross, was allocated to France; and if so, whether he is aware that sugar is being offered for sale for export ex Nantes to Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Red Cross Sugar Supplies.
Of the 10,000 tons of sugar included in this year's gift for relief in Europe, 1,000 tons were allocated to a well-known French charitable organisation—Entr'Aide Francaise—in accordance with the arrangements which I described to the Dáil when moving the Vote in June. This gift of 1,000 tons of sugar has already been shipped to France. I am not aware that sugar is being offered for sale for export from France to Ireland.
While readily assenting to any proposal to send sugar to the hungry people who have none available from any other source, I ask if the Taoiseach is aware that, shortly before the 1,000 tons of sugar in respect of which he got the plaque landed in France, the following letter reached me.
The Deputy may not read out letters at Question Time.
The Taoiseach says he is not aware.
The Deputy could have made me aware, if he had letters to send to me.
Here is the letter, offering me 6,000 tons of American refined sugar, 95 per cent. Cuban origin, f.o.b. Nantes, France.
The Deputy had the opportunity to send that to me or my Department and did not avail of it.
Why should I? Is not this the place to ask?
Then I could have checked up to see what the position was. I say that, in so far as I am aware—and I am absolutely convinced —this charitable organisation has distributed the sugar as it was intended it should be distributed.
I am not asking what the charitable organisation did. I am asking the Taoiseach if it is commonsense for us to be sending sugar to France when, in fact, offers are being made to sell 6,000 French tons of 95 per cent Cuban sugar, ex Nantes—and there is the offer.
If the Deputy had sent me that, I would have inquired to find out what was the truth in the matter.
What does the Taoiseach mean? What was the truth in the matter?
I want to know. If the Deputy thinks I am such a fool as to take for facts the extravagant statements he makes here from time to time, he is making a very big Mistake.
Is it the truth?
I want something to examine.
I now produce an offer, addressed to a sugar importer in this country, offering 6,000 tons of sugar.
When I have examined the question, I will tell the Deputy what I think.
Will the Taoiseach answer this? If 6,000 tons are available for purchase at Nantes, does he not think that the French Government might purchase that sugar for their own people, if they require 1,000 tons from this country?
I am not going to make any hypothetical statement.