asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if, at any time, a representative or director of the Monaghan Curing Company or of the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, served as a member of either the Bacon Marketing Board or of the Pigs Marketing Board; and if so, if he will give the name of such representative and indicate the period or periods of such service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan Curing Company.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if the production quota and/or production sub-quota fixed by the Bacon Marketing Board and allotted to the Monaghan Curing Company or to the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, was, at any time, increased; if so, when such increase was granted; if he will indicate the original quota and the increased quota; further, if he will state if the quota of any competitor curer was reduced to enable such additional quota to be allotted to the Monaghan Company; and if he will give the reasons for granting such increase and making such reduction.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if the premises and/or products of the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, were, at any time, visited and inspected under the Pigs and Bacon Acts by inspectors, veterinary examiners or veterinary inspectors; if so, how many such visits and inspections were made since 1938; and what was the general effect of the reports made consequent on such visits and inspections.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how many bacon curers, who were members of either the Bacon Marketing Board or the Pigs Marketing Board were, at any time, prosecuted by either such board or by the Pigs and Bacon Commission for offences under the Pigs and Bacon Acts; if any bacon curer other than the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, was so prosecuted for any offence which involved the fraudulent withholding from pig suppliers of any sum of money; if the Monaghan Company were prosecuted and fined for offences involving substantial frauds on pig suppliers; if the Monaghan Company were then and thereafter granted licences by him under the Pigs and Bacon Acts; and if he will state the names of the directors who, during the period covered by such licences, formed the board of the Monaghan Company.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what variations took place, from time to time, in respect of the amounts of bacon and other of their products sold by the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, to the Army; and if, on the occasions when such sales made by the company to the Army were reduced, he notified the Pigs or Bacon Marketing Boards or the Pigs and Bacon Commission of such reductions.
I propose to take the Deputy's five questions together. As regards the functions of the Pigs and Bacon Commission, I would refer the Deputy to my reply yesterday to Deputy Hughes on this subject. In that reply, I have indicated the nature of the inspections carried out by officers of my Department. I might add that there has been continuous veterinary inspection of all bacon factories, including the Monaghan Curing Company's premises. No representative of the Monaghan Curing Company or of the Monaghan Curing Company, Limited, served either as a member of the Bacon Marketing Board or the Pigs Marketing Board. I have no information as regards the arrangements made for the supply of bacon by the Monaghan Curing Company to the Army.