asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will now state the price per barrel obtained for oats exported to the Continent by the Department of Agriculture in 1949.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Oats—1949 Prices.
The total quantity of oats exported was 10,025 tons for which the average price realised was approximately 36/- per barrel f.o.b.
Can the Minister state what considerations prompted him to export 10,000 tons of oats in the present year, having regard to the very serious shortage of oats in the country?
What I consider to be the very improvident instructions given to me, largely at the instance of the Fianna Fáil Party, to get rid of the oats. The temptation not to speculate in them and back my own judgment was well-high irresistible, but my instructions were to sell them and I sold them with profound reluctance.
Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that he now takes his instructions from the Opposition?