asked the Minister for Agriculture what quantity of home-grown wheat was (a) used for milling, and (b) transferred to An Bord Gráin as unmillable; and who determined the purpose for which such wheat was suitable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Millable and Unmillable Wheat.
31.
Up to 5th January, 1959, 253,316 tons of wheat were purchased by the mills on the basis of the prices for millable wheat. Of this quantity, 23,182 tons were purchased for milling into flour, the balance of 230,134 tons being purchased on behalf of An Bord Gráin. The flour millers determine whether wheat purchased by them is suitable for milling into flour.
Was there no referee whatsoever on the decision?
There never was.
I think it is about time there should be.
That is a very debatable point. After all, without being partial, I think it is only fair to those who convert wheat into flour for consumption by the public that they should be responsible for the quality of the wheat.
Surely the Minister has qualified inspectors in his Department to give an opinion, if required?
It is not easy to have an inspector standing at the mill door when every consignment of wheat arrives in order to provide the sort of arbitration machinery the Deputy has in mind.
I do not suggest that the inspector could be there all the time.
There are several viewpoints on this matter. It is one to which a good deal of attention has been given down the years.
Is it a fact now that it is in the hands of the millers to determine whether they will accept or reject the Irish wheat?
I do not think the ex-Minister for Agriculture should be in doubt.
It is madness to say it was never the rule.
It always was.
Never. That is utter madness.
How does the Deputy know?
Because he was Minister for Agriculture for six years.