asked the Minister for External Affairs if he has taken, or intends taking, any steps for the promotion of an alternative market on the Continent of Europe for Irish agricultural produce, and in particular for Irish cattle, butter, bacon and eggs; further, if such steps have been taken, whether any arrangements have been made to encourage direct shipping between Ireland and the Continent.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ALTERNATIVE MARKET FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.
Butter, bacon and eggs being commodities which several Continental countries export in order to compete on the British market with Irish produce, no special efforts have been made to seek on the Continent of Europe alternatives to the British market.
With regard to cattle, the possibility of obtaining Continental markets has been the subject of much study during the past few years, but so far no satisfactory results have been attained.
Direct shipping lines from the Saorstát to the Continent are confined to twelve-day sailings between Dublin Cork and Le Havre, Boulogne, Dunkirk, and other French ports, and weekly sailings between Dublin and Hamburg.