asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has any statement to make on the negotiations between the Governments of Éire and Great Britain on the subject of the prices to be fixed in Great Britain for Irish eggs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Irish Eggs in Great Britain.
An Order has recently been made by the British Minister of Food the effect of which is to place Irish eggs in a special category and to increase, as from 6th November, by 5/- per great hundred the maximum price for Irish fresh eggs weighing not less than 15lb. per 120 and by 4/9 per great hundred the maximum price of similar eggs weighing not less than 12lb. per 120.
While fully appreciating the Minister's difficulties in this matter, does the Minister agree with me that the real fundamental obstacle in the way of our getting what appears to us an equitable price for our eggs is the fact that our eggs are required to be stamped going into Great Britain?
For the present that is true.
If the Minister so agrees, will he consider meeting the British Minister of Agriculture, just as Danish Ministers have met the Russian Ministers and Polish Ministers have met the French Ministers, with a view to direct personal negotiation between him and the Minister in Great Britain so as to have the stamping waived in respect of eggs for the duration of this emergency in any case?
That question has been discussed.
Will the Minister consider going further than a discussion between high State servants, no matter how excellent they are, and inject into these discussions the personal element with a view to getting the removal of the provision requiring the stamping of eggs? If he will do that, the price will adjust itself and we will get the English and the North of Ireland price.
What would be the total of any such loss at the rate of 6d. per dozen which our eggs are now suffering? Would it be considerable?
It would be. Probably it would be £250,000. I am not sure, as I am only making a quick calculation.
Is that not due to the stamping of the eggs? Could the Minister not get that waived?
No.
Is it suggested that our eggs are inferior to North of Ireland eggs?
No. We do not suggest it anyway.
Is the Minister satisfied that if he himself approached the British Minister in regard to this matter it would be possible to get it waived? I suggest to the Minister that personal contact between himself and the Minister in Great Britain would have much the same effect as personal contact between himself and a Minister of the United States or any other country with which we are in diplomatic relations.
I have not the same faith——
In the Minister's charm as I have.
——just now.
Send the Taoiseach and he might work it.
He might.