asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the amount of malting barley imported by breweries in Éire in each of the last three years, viz., 1944, 1945 and 1946; the price paid by such breweries for the imported barley; and further, why encouragement to produce such barley is not given to Irish farmers by price inducement.

The following are particulars of the quantities and prices of barley imported by brewers in each of the years mentioned:—

Every encouragement is given for production of barley and other crops for industrial requirements and animal feeding, consistent with the paramount need for producing the maximum quantity of wheat for human use.