andMr. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is in a position to announce the price to be paid to growers for the 1972 barley crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barley Prices.
83.
I hope to announce the price for feeding barley of the 1972 crop at an early date.
I took the Minister to say that the price would be announced at an early date. Does the Minister appreciate that the sowing season is at hand? I hope "an early date" means next week.
I can only tell the Deputy that I am very familiar with barley producers and I appreciate the urgency of making an announcement of the kind he refers to.
Can the Minister say why it is necessary always to delay such announcements until ploughing has finished?
Probably a substantial contributory factor is the reluctance of the Minister to make an announcement until he is satisfied that he can do no more in respect of barley prices.
Or a reluctance to announce a bad price in case there may be a general election.