asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the recent increase in the price of meat in Dublin; if he will state the causes of the increase; whether the agreement as to prices is being recognised by all those engaged in the sale of meat, wholesale or retail; and if not, he will make arrangements to keep the price within reasonable limits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Meat (Dublin).
I am aware of the recent increase in the prices of fresh beef and mutton in Dublin. This increase has been due to continued increases in the prices of cattle and sheep since prices were previously revised. The agreement as to prices is recognised by the members of the Dublin Master Victuallers' Association who constitute a large proportion of those in the trade in Dublin and district. Unlike certain other foodstuffs, there is no restriction of the supply of meat and it is, therefore, assumed that competition will have the effect of keeping prices generally within the agreed limits.
Will the Minister answer the last part of the question? Will he make arrangements to keep the price of cattle within reasonable limits, so that the Dublin retailers of meat will not be crushed out of the markets by those who, apparently, have plenty of money to buy our supplies?
There are no restrictions on supplies.
I am aware there are no restrictions, but will the Minister see that the Dublin consumers of meat, more especially the working-class people, will get their meat at a reasonable price and that those with big bank accounts, those with big cheques with which to buy our meat, will not be allowed to get it because of the fact that they have the money and our people have not?
That situation does not apply in the case of meat. There is enough meat for everybody.
I know there is enough meat for everybody now, but a different situation will arise if the price goes beyond the means of the working classes, if they are not able to buy. There may be all the meat there that is necessary, but those people may not be able to buy it at a price and will the Minister see that our Dublin consumers, particularly the working classes, will get the meat at a reasonable price?
I was really pointing out that the Deputy's reference to big bank accounts is nonsense. That does not affect the price of meat. There is no scarcity and, consequently, no situation in which there would be competitive purchasing by individual consumers. The price of meat has necessarily to be fixed by the price of cattle and the increase in the price of meat is due to the increase in the price of the cattle.
But, if the price of cattle goes beyond the means of the Dublin retailer and he has to sell at a price which our Dublin consumers, mostly the working classes, cannot pay, will the Minister see that there will be a certain supply of meat sold at a price which these people can pay and not at the competitive price that he has mentioned?
Will the Minister say to what extent the rise in the price of cattle is due to the price that the Government are paying for the cattle which they are sending abroad?
I doubt if even an expert would offer an opinion on how various factors react on the price of cattle. The cattle sold here are sold by auction in the public market. There is an ample supply but, in so far as there are purchasers from abroad, the prices they are prepared to pay affect the prices which are available here. We have considered the desirability of restricting the export of cattle and artificially depressing prices, but, apart from the practical difficulties involved in that case, there would be other very obvious objections.
Has the Minister examined as to whether the price charged in Dublin is reasonable in relation to the price of cattle?
It is.
Is the Minister aware there is always a demand for cheap food being produced by the farmers from people living in cities who pretend to be the farmers' friends sometimes?
I desire to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory reply to my question and because of my desire to get more information, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night.
Is it not true to say that there is not much stock at present going to the Continent arising out of Government purchases, and that Holland's representatives are buying stock themselves?
I think the Deputy should put down a question on that subject. It is really a separate question.