asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is a fact that the prices charged for potatoes in the producer-consumer market of 2/3 and 2/5 per stone were made possible by his releasing in that market potatoes purchased for export at £9 to £10 10s. 0d. per ton, and if he will state what profit was made on the diversion of these potatoes and to what purpose this profit will be devoted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Prices.
The suggestion contained in this question has no foundation in fact. The potato marketing company sold potatoes to the producer-consumer market at precisely the same price as to the potato merchants and factors.
Would the Minister say what profits were made on the sale of these potatoes by the potato marketing company?
It was not their intention to make any profit at all. Their purpose was to prevent the racketeers making illegitimate profits out of their attempt to corner the potato market and in that they have succeeded.
Would the Minister say where the potato marketing company secured these supplies and at what price?
That is a separate question.
If the Deputy will prepare a question in that sense I promise that I will be very glad to give him full particulars, now that the racketeers have been successfully routed.