asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the very low price which wool is fetching and the prospects for the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Output and Price.
131.
The price of Irish wool is determined by the prevailing prices on the world market. In common with other natural fibres world wool prices have fallen by approximately 50 per cent from a peak in the 1973 season. There is a world wide recession in the textile industry and in particular the carpet industry. At this stage it is not possible to forecast with any degree of accuracy price trends in the immediate future.
132.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the value of the wool crops in 1973 and 1974; and the amount that was lost through bad storage or presentation.
Central Statistics Office give output of wool in 1973 as 16,328,000 lb., value £4,572,000. The 1974 figures are not yet available. There is no information as to losses through bad storage or presentation.