asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there is considerable public dissatisfaction in regard to the quality of the tea now on sale, and, if so, if he will state the reasons for this deterioration in quality, and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Tea.
I have received no complaints in regard to the quality of tea now on sale and, therefore, the other parts of the Deputy's question do not arise.
Is the Minister making inquiries which would no doubt satisfy him that at least twice the amount of tea must now be used by the housewives to make the same brew as heretofore? It seems that the tea drinking community are getting the offsweep for quite a long time and this means a 100 per cent. increase in the price of tea.
I have explained that I have received no complaints regarding the quality of tea at present in use. A similar question was put to my predecessor, Deputy Lemass, on the subject in December last and his answer was precisely the same—that he had up to that period received no complaints. The position is the same up to the moment and it is the same class of tea that we have been using between then and now.
It certainly is not.
Mr. Lemass
Is it not a fact that recently the initial cost of the tea delivered on quota to each blender was kept untouched by the device of increasing considerably the proportion of low grade tea and eliminating the good grade tea and is not this the reason as everybody but the Minister, apparently, has heard?
The Deputy knows that statement is incorrect. It is not true to say that there is any particular emphasis on low grade tea. The tea ordered by the wholesaler is delivered by the wholesaler and as I explained to Deputy Davern I have had no complaints at all in the Department of Industry and Commerce any more than Deputy Lemass had up to last December.
Mr. Lemass
Is the Minister not aware that any trader can put in any grade of tea in any quantity he wants?
Has the Deputy any information that he can?
Mr. Lemass
Certainly he can.
Will the Deputy furnish me with the information?
Mr. Lemass
Is it true or not that there are restrictions on the delivery of tea to the blenders?
There are no restrictions. Any person who wants to get his requirements of tea can get 100 per cent. of his requirements in the datum year.
Hear, hear!
Question No. 8.
What is the situation——
Question No. 8.
I propose to raise a question on No. 7 on the Adjournment.