Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Wheat to Mills.Tuesday, 9 April 1946 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
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Mr. O'Donnell:
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable losses have been sustained by farmers owing to their inability to procure the necessary transport to convey threshed wheat to mills; whether, having regard to the fact that the wheat in question was compulsorily grown, while adequate transport and storage facilities to deal with the crop were not provided, he is prepared to compensate farmers for their losses; and, further, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to obviate a recurrence of these losses in connection with the 1946 harvest.
Minister for Agriculture (Dr. Ryan):
I am informed that the conveyance of wheat to mills was dealt with in the most expeditious manner possible and I do not consider that there are grounds for compensation as suggested by the Deputy. As regards the latter part of the question, I understand that the wheat transport problem next harvest will receive due consideration.
Mr. O'Donnell:
Is the Minister aware that many hundreds of barrels of wheat were held over for five or six weeks and that wheat worth 55/- a barrel was sold for pig feeding at 30/- a barrel?
Dr. Ryan:
I should be aware of that because I would have to give a permit, but I am not. It should not be sold without a permit.
Mr. O'Donnell:
You should be aware of it. You are aware of it now.
Dr. Ryan:
It is too late now. Will the Deputy give me a little information, [1441] because there may be some prosecutions?
Mr. O'Donnell:
Whom would you prosecute?
Dr. Ryan:
The people who did it.
Mr. O'Donnell:
There are a lot of vacant buildings in country towns close to mills which could be cemented and used for storing the grain. It is very unfair when wheat has to be grown compulsorily that you do not see that it is taken away in proper time.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle:
That is not a question.
Dr. Ryan:
Send on the information anyway.
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