asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state why he considers it necessary to control the importation of seed wheat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Seed Wheat.
Mr. Walsh
Control over imports of seed wheat is necessary to ensure that only suitable varieties are imported and to encourage the assembly of homegrown seed.
Pending the development of a scheme for the propagation of pedigree seed wheat, which is at present under consideration, facilities are being granted to merchants for the importation of a substantial quantity of seed to meet current requirements and to provide foundation stocks for further propagation.
There is no reason why this country should depend on outside sources for the supply of seed, and I hope that in due course it will be possible to provide from our own resources our full requirements of first quality seed wheat in the same way as we are already providing seed barley of malting varieties.
I cannot follow the Minister's arguments because last week he told us that he gave import licences in every case where export licences were given by other countries, even though he knew nothing about that seed wheat. He did not know the price, he did not know where it was bought or whether hard currency or soft currency was being used but he said that everywhere an export licence was being given he granted an import licence.
Mr. Walsh
We do not control the imports of such seed wheat. It is the exporting countries control it.
If the only function of the Minister is to give an import licence where an export licence is given from any country in the world, why should the Minister maintain control of imports?
Mr. Walsh
He does not control it but he will I hope in future.
If the Minister does not control it, why is an import licence necessary when an export licence is granted by another country?
Mr. Walsh
Because it is already controlled before it comes in here at all. The export is controlled.
Why has our Minister to grant an import licence when an export licence is granted in Sweden, Denmark or Britain? Our Minister has to give an import licence. Does that not mean that our Minister has some control?
Mr. Walsh
He has to give an import licence.
Is our Minister going to let everything in, provided an export licence is granted by some other country?