asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any information as to prospective cost of product of the proposed nitrogenous fertiliser factory; and what relation it will bear to the world prices for the corresponding product.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nitrogenous Fertiliser Factory: Cost of Product.
5.
Until a detailed scheme for the establishment of a nitrogenous fertiliser factory has been prepared it is not possible to state the prospective cost of the product. There is, however, no reason to think that the cost will not compare favourably with world prices.
May we assume that an essential part of this scheme will be that the cost of nitrogenous fertiliser will not, as a result of this scheme, be raised to the Irish agricultural industry as compared with the price of available supplies from other sources?
I think it is essential that the cost should be reduced because the aim must be to get considerably increased use of these fertilisers.
If it should transpire that the operation of this scheme will result in substantial additional cost, as I believe it will—about 5/- per cwt.— may we assume that the scheme will not be proceeded with?
The scheme does not contemplate any import duty.
It contemplates the production of nitrogenous fertiliser here. The scheme will certainly ultimately result in prohibition of nitrogenous fertilisers from any other source, or is the Minister prepared to say that there is no question of limiting imports of nitrogenous fertilisers from alternative sources?
There is no question of a need for protection against normal imports.
There is no question of a need for protection against normal imports.