asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the allocation of British coal to which this country is entitled under the 1948 agreement, and the allocations which have been made for each of the years 1950 and 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Coal Supplies.
Under the 1948 Trade Agreement, the British Government undertook to make available to Ireland in each year not less than 1,570,000 tons of coal, domestic coke and manufactured fuels. The quantity of these fuels supplied in 1950 was 1,661,500 tons. Ireland's allocation of these fuels from Britain for the first quarter of 1951 is 221,000 tons. No information is yet available as to the quantities which will be allocated for subsequent quarters.
In view of the fact that the British have fallen down on their supply of coal to this country, can the Government not take the matter up with the British Government and get rid of this limitation of 10 per cent. on our exports of cattle to countries other than Britain, with a view to earning dollars or some other currency to buy coal?
The Deputy will appreciate that the 1948 agreement makes it obligatory upon the British Government to make available not less than a certain quantity within a year. It may be that before the end of the year they can fulfil that undertaking.
The Government is held down in respect to exports of cattle to other countries to a limitation of 10 per cent. of the number sent to Britain.
We are exporting substantially more cattle now than when the Deputy was in office and the farmers are getting a much higher price.
You cannot export more than 10 per cent. of the number sent to Britain, even though you do not get the quantity of coal which they undertook to send you.
We are exporting far more cattle and at a much higher price than when the Deputy was in office.
You are doing much better than we did during the war. We can see that.
Or before the war.