asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the Emergency Meat Supply Committee are charging 10¾d. to Dublin butchers for beef described as third quality, that prior to the emergency was exported at 9½d., and if he will take steps to ensure that the Emergency Committee will not make an undue profit at the expense of the Dublin consumer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Beef.
Mr. Byrne
The prices charged by the Emergency Meat Supply Committee at the corporation abattoir for beef carcases supplied to butchers were announced in the Dublin newspapers on the 17th instant. The committee have not been charging 10¾d. per lb. for beef of any quality. The top price for super-grade bullock or heifer beef is 10½d. per lb.
Mr. Byrne
This question was put in on the last day the Dáil sat—just a fortnight ago—and these were official figures from the abattoir. I have the official receipt from a person who paid that price for beef. I am aware that there is a change since I put my question down but my figures were correct. Will the Minister answer the last portion of the question?
The Emergency Committee is now on a commission basis.
Will that mean less profit?
Mr. Byrne
The consumer who purchases from a butcher has to pay that commission in the increased price. Will the Minister see that neither the butchers nor the people who buy from them are fleeced by this committee. They are being fleeced by the committee, which is making exorbitant profits.
They will have no personal interest in fleecing the butchers now that they are on a commission basis.
What is the amount of the commission?
I am not in a position to say that at the moment but I hope to be able to make it public in a few days.
Did the Minister approve of the figure?
Yes, but I do not know whether they have approved of it yet or not.