asked the Taoiseach the quantity and value of oats imported during the cereal year 1965-66.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Oats.
1.
During the 12 months ended 31st August, 1966, imports of oats (excluding seed for sowing) amounted to 240,889 cwt., value £309,344. Imports of oat seed for sowing amounted to 240,676 cwt., value £430,158 during the same period.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us why, in an agricultural country, we had to import so much oats? Is he aware that there has been a reduction of 300,000 in the acreage of oats in the past ten years? What does the Fianna Fáil Party intend to do about it?
What is the price of oats at present? It is 50/- a barrel and that is a good price for oats.
Deputy Dillon was thinking in terms of 48/- a barrel in 1948 and you were not satisfied.
(Interruptions.)
Order.