asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is much dissatisfaction among pig producers because of the reduction in the price of pigs for the current sale period concurrent with an increase in the price of feeding stuffs, and whether he will inquire of the Pigs Marketing Board if, in accordance with sub-section (5) (e) of Section 140 of the Pigs and Bacon Act, 1935, the board had regard to the cost of production of pigs, and particularly the cost of feeding stuffs for the previous four months when fixing pig prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Prices.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will inquire of the Pigs Marketing Board why they have fixed the price of pigs at from 48/- to 58/6 per cwt. in view of the fact that the current price for bacon from Irish curers is from 90/- to 96/- per cwt. and the current price of maize meal mixture is from 8/11 to 9/3 per cwt.
I propose to take questions 22 and 23 together. I am not prepared to request the Pigs Marketing Board to state their reasons for fixing the price of pigs. As already intimated to Deputy Dillon, it is not desirable that the operations of the board should be discussed in this House by way of question and answer.
Would not the Minister agree that the pig producers should have an opportunity of electing their own representative on the Pigs Marketing Board?
Would the Minister tell the House why he takes the view that it is not desirable to administer interrogatories of this kind to the Pigs Tribunal in view of the fact that in the Act for which he was himself responsible—the Pigs and Bacon Act—express provision was made for the Minister to administer interrogatories of this kind from time to time to the Pigs Tribunal?
Dr. Ryan
I said that it was not advisable to have this matter discussed by way of question and answer in this House and any reasonable person would take the same view. This is a matter that could only be dealt with by a discussion between the parties themselves.
Is the Minister aware that the bacon curers of this country, with the connivance and approval of his Department and in defiance of the law, have fixed the price at which they propose to sell bacon in this State with a view to eliminating all competition and that they have fixed a figure by which they are charging the consumer in this country an entirely fictitious price? Does that connivance of the Minister's Department meet with the approval of the Minister?
Dr. Ryan
There are so many qualifications and trimmings in this supplementary question that it is one that it is difficult to answer. I wonder what does the Deputy mean by "eliminating all competition"? Surely the Deputy knows that is nonsense.
The Minister is aware that no provision was made in the Act for fixing the selling price of bacon in Saorstát Eireann. Does he approve of an arrangement between the Department and the bacon curers by which the bacon curers can use the machinery of the Bacon Marketing Board to fix prices by way of a ring in this country, with a view to exploiting consumers, and getting from consumers at the present time from 90/- to 96/- per cwt. while they are paying producers of bacon from 48/- to 58/6 per cwt? Does the Minister approve of that course?
Dr. Ryan
How does my Department come into it? Where is the connivance?
Because the Minister is aware that it was with his consent prices were fixed by a ring of bacon curers with a view to exploiting consumers.
Dr. Ryan
I was not asked for consent.
Is not the Minister aware of that and tacitly assented to it?
Dr. Ryan
I may be aware of a lot of things. Does that mean that I consent to them?
The Minister is aware that while that is the basis of these prices people in the City of Dublin have to pay very high prices for bacon, without being able to get a decent bit of bacon, while the bacon curers are making unheard-of profits. What is he going to do about it?
Dr. Ryan
Is the Deputy going to vie with Deputy Dillon in his ignorance of the subject? Look at prices for pigs and tell me when, for ten years, pigs were so dear at this time?
Does the Minister say that bacon curers are not making unprecedented profits at present?
Dr. Ryan
I am not a Customs officer.
Will the Minister refer the matter to the Food Prices Commission?
Dr. Ryan
That is not my function at all.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, the fact has been brought under his attention that bacon curers in this country are paying from 48/-to 58/6 per cwt. for pigs and are charging from 90/- to 96/- per cwt. for bacon. Will he not take action, if he declines to intervene, with a view to preventing the fixing of prices by a ring, and with a view to referring the price of bacon to the Prices Tribunal to ascertain whether the profits being made by bacon curers are not excessive?
Dr. Ryan
I advise the Deputy to acquaint himself with all the facts before making statements. He should also find out what our bacon curers are getting for exports, and what they are paying for bacon, as well as what they pay farmers.