In asking leave to withdraw amendment No. 147 I would point out that this is the section which was withdrawn on the Minister giving an undertaking to incorporate two factors contained in Deputy Belton's amendment, plus paragraph (c) in my amendment, in a new section.
SECTION 141.
Minister for Agriculture
I move amendment No. 148:—
At the end of the section to insert a new sub-section as follows:—
(3) In this Part of this Act, the expression " the freight allowance" means in relation to a pig or carcase sold in a particular sale area, the sum for the time being fixed by an order under this section as the freight allowance in respect of a pig or carcase sold in such area.
This is really a drafting amendment. There is not change in principle. It is defining what the average allowance is.
Will the Minister explain ?
Minister for Agriculture
The Board may at any time make an order allowing a certain figure to be deducted from pigs delivered at the factory as an average allowance.
Delivered from where ?
Minister for Agriculture
From anywhere. They might take areas and divide the Free State into sections on a northern and southern basis, but the farmer, wherever he lives, will be at no disadvantage as compared with the farmer who lived near the factory.
It will be a flat rate ?
How will that work ? I deliver a certain number of pigs; they are weighed, and a certain allowance given to me.
Minister for Agriculture
If you deliver, you get the full fixed price.
If the factory agent buys all the cost falls upon the factory. There would be no buying allowance if it is the factory agent who purchases.
Minister for Agriculture
There would be. If the pigs are not delivered directly to the factory there would be a buying allowance, freight allowance and the levy of the Pig Board.
The purchaser would get his money whether as an agent of the factory or a free buyer.
I certainly did not understand that you were dealing with the question of buying allowance when the buyer available was a servant of the Board. What defence is there of that ?
Minister for Agriculture
The company are deducting the buying allowance; whether it goes on to the buyers is another matter, but it deducts the buying allowance.
Constructively, I suppose, it is intended to pay the salary.