asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether, having regard to the approximate price of 180/- per cwt. paid by bacon curers for pigs at present, there is an equitable allocation between curer and retailer of the margin between 1/9½d. per lb. wholesale for bacon and the retail scale of prices fixed by his Department; and whether representations were made by curers to his Department for an adjustment of the wholesale price without increasing the existing retail scale; and, if so, what decision has been made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation of Bacon Supplies.
I am satisfied that the profit margins allowed to wholesalers and retailers of bacon at present are, in existing circumstances, the minimum with which they can carry on or, indeed, which it would be desirable to require them to accept. Consequently I found myself unable to accede to representations which were recently made by the Irish Bacon Curers' Association for an increase in their prices at the expense of the margins allowed to wholesalers and retailers.
Is the Minister aware that the curers are experiencing a substantial loss at the present time as a result of the price that is in operation, and having regard to the price of 180/- paid for pigs?
The Government has fixed a minimum price for pigs and a maximum price for bacon, and is allowing the situation to settle itself within those limits. Does the Deputy suggest that we should revert to the quota system?
No, but is the Minister suggesting that there should be a reduction in the price of pigs? Can he give me a categorical answer to the question that I put to him?
I am suggesting that the present practice is in accordance with the wishes of all Parties in the Dáil, as they have been expressed in the Dáil.
Does the Minister suggest that the only solution of the problem, so far as the bacon curers are concerned, is a reduction in the present price of pigs?
I have not suggested anything of the kind.
Is not the position this: that proposals have been put to the Minister, to which he is not prepared to accede? The Minister admits that there is a problem there, and all I want to know is, what is his solution?
The Deputy can raise that matter on another occasion, but I might point out to him that it has been raised in this House on several occasions previously, and the proposal then put forward met with opposition from the Deputy.
Perhaps I might be permitted to point out that I have raised this matter by way of Parliamentary question, and it would appear that the Minister is not prepared to suggest a solution of the problem. What alternative does he propose?
The alternative is the restoration of the quota system.
The Minister is running away from the matter at issue.