asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will arrange, by way of subsidy, a minimum fixed price for wool in view of the very low prices obtaining at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Price.
14.
I am afraid that this would not be practicable in view of the fact that the vast bulk of our wool has to be exported.
Could the Minister conveniently say what are the comparative prices for wool now as compared with this time last year?
The nearest figure I am aware of at the moment, although I am not terribly clear as to what the market price will turn out to be, is that there is likely to be a difference of 5d per lb as between the two periods.
The price has fallen by 5d per lb?
Approximately, but it is not definite. It may be above or below that: I am not sure.
Will the Minister tell us where he has got his information? Does he not know that in the midlands the price offered at the present time is 2/6d per lb and that last year it was in the region of 4/-? That is a reduction of 1/6d per lb since last year. Surely the Minister should know something about the wool market and should give some lead to the farmers as regards the price?
The general reservation I made in replying to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Dillon, was on the basis that most of the sheep are only now being shorn. Some of them have not yet been shorn. How the Deputy can be so well aware of the price for wool still on the sheeps' backs, I do not know.
Further arising——
Question No. 15.