asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been directed to the leading article in a provincial daily newspaper of 25th March in which it is stated that a Deputy, General Seán MacEoin, asserted in a speech at Tuam that there is one and a half years' supply of wheat in the country; and, if so, if he will state whether this assertion is correct and if it is incorrect if he will have immediate steps taken to contradict such statements which endanger the production of essential food supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Supplies.
I have seen the leading article referred to by the Deputy in which a statement is attributed to Deputy MacEoin that the wheat stocks in this country are equivalent to one and a half years' supply. This statement is not correct. At the present rate of consumption, stocks of wheat are sufficient to supply the needs of the country for 19½ weeks.
Does the Minister not think that statements such as this are very serious and may have an ill effect on the growing of wheat and will he not take steps to see that such wild and reckless statements are contradicted?
Is the Minister aware that there was a statement made at the Cork County Committee of Agriculture by a member of the Minister's own Party, Deputy Corry, in regard to the wheat midge, which militated much more against the growing of wheat?