asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the hardship which the present high price of potatoes imposes on families, and, if so, whether he proposes to control the price of this commodity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price and Supply of Potatoes.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (i) what steps have been taken to ensure that Dublin City will have an adequate supply of potatoes in the next three months, and (ii) whether it is proposed to control the price of potatoes to keep them within the reach of the lower paid citizens for whom they are a staple food.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. The late harvest and inclement weather had the effect of disrupting the normal marketing of potatoes, but the position has now improved. I am informed that there is no reason, at this stage, to assume that there will be a shortage of potatoes, so that the need for price control is unlikely to arise. Meanwhile, the position is being kept under active review by the Prices Advisory Body.