asked the Minister for Finance whether on 14th December, 1955, the Revenue Commissioners sold or caused to be sold in Dublin a quantity of Spanish onions, which had been imported without licence or veterinary certificate, without any inquiry to ensure that they were free from Colorado beetle and were not grown in a foot and mouth disease area, and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter, and if he will state the price at which these onions were sold by the commissioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Spanish Onions.
I presume the Deputy refers to a quantity of dried Spanish onions comprising 284 cases and three half cases which were sold in the Dublin Corporation Fruit Market on the 15th, 16th and 17th December, 1955, under the authority of the Revenue Commissioners. These onions had been seized under the Customs Acts as having been imported in contravention of the Onions (Regulation of Import) Order, 1948. The requirement, in respect of dried onions, of licences under the Colorado Beetle Order, 1945, and the Foot and Mouth Disease (Importation of Plants) Order, 1952, did not come into operation until the 21st December, 1955, and, consequently, the question of contravention of either of these Orders did not arise.
The sale of the onions, which was effected after consultation with the Department of Agriculture, yielded prices ranging from 27s. 0d. to 32s. 6d. per case.