asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the millers propose to charge sixpence per sack per week hire this year; and, if so, whether, in view of the reduced prices for wheat and barley and the increases in overhead charges to farmers, he will make representations to millers and grain merchants to rectify the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Hire of Sacks.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on 1st July in which I indicated that I have had discussions with representatives of the millers on this matter
Could the Minister indicate what was the result of his discussions?
The Deputy will appreciate that in the case of discussions on a matter of this kind with representatives of a trade it is not usual to have finality reached nor would it be usual for a Minister to tell the House what these representatives said or what the Minister said.
The Minister will appreciate we are not very far away from the harvest and perhaps he will be able to indicate to the House when these discussions will be finalised so that farmers may know whether they must forfeit sixpence per sack or possibly, if faced with bad weather, considerably more?
I have had discussions with the National Farmers' Association and representatives of the millers and I have expressed my point of view and I am sure that at some time I shall be told what the outcome of my representations is.
Could the Minister not give the House any idea when he will be in a position to make a statement on this subject?
I have no idea myself.
The Minister appreciates the harvest is not very far off and there is some urgency in the matter?
But the wheat must be sacked irrespective of this question.
This is a matter of a charge of sixpence per sack in connection with the whole wheat crop. Would the Minister not agree it is a matter in which this House has some interest, or is it to become the practice hereafter that guaranteed price arrangements in respect of such commodities as pigs and wheat and other agricultural produce are to be altered in one direction or another without any reference to this House? Inasmuch as this constitutes an integral part of the guaranteed price for wheat does the Minister not think he has a duty to the House to inform it of the outcome of any negotiations that had been proceeding when that outcome is made known to him?
I do not think that this is a suitable place to discuss this matter one way or another. I think the Deputy who has asked the supplementary would be the first to contend that those people who engage in any trade or business have a fair right to make decisions affecting their interests from time to time.
May I suggest that when this House determines a guaranteed price for an agricultural commodity any subsequent alterations of the conditions of the contract, involving a sum as substantial as sixpence per sack, ought to be made known to the House which has fixed the guaranteed price?
If I were to express an opinion on that matter I would be indicating that the particular charge to which the Deputy refers was taken into account in determining the matter to which the Deputy refers.
Has the Minister had any consultations with the Agricultural Advisory Council?
It is not always possible to consult everybody. In consulting representatives of the National Farmers' Association and the millers I felt I should be able to get from them all the information in this matter.