asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (i) the names of the three firms that advertised on the 28th November last for pigs weighing up to 14 stone dead weight at 190/- per cwt., which were referred to by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 1st December, 1949 (column 1860, Volume 118 Official Report); and (ii) where the advertisements appeared.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Prices.
The three firms who offered, on the 28th November, 1949, not less than 190/- per cwt. dead weight for pigs up to 14 stone were (1) Messrs. O'Mara (Limerick) Limited, (2) J. Matterson and Sons Limited, and (3) W.J. Shaw and Sons (Limerick) Limited.
Messrs. O'Mara advertised their prices in the Irish Press and Cork Examiner. The other two firms, so far as I know, did not advertise in the public Press. Their prices were posted on the gates of their factories.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on the very day on which he replied to this question O'Mara's had an advertisement in the papers stating they were paying less than 190/- per 14 stone pig?
I have answered the Deputy's question, and I am not aware of any other advertisement.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that despite his recent pronouncements most of the pig-feeders in the country are not obtaining 190/- per cwt. for bacon pigs weighing up to 14 stone dead weight, he will state what steps he is taking to ensure that this price is paid by bacon curers and give an assurance that any producer who is underpaid will be recouped by the curer.
I am not prepared to accept the suggestion in the Deputy's question of unreasonable prices generally being paid for pigs. This suggestion seems to me to be a reiteration of the view reflected in the question the Deputy put to me on the 1st December and expressed in his statement that evening on the adjournment of the House. I do not think that there is anything I can add to the replies I gave the Deputy on that date.
On that date the Parliamentary Secretary informed me that the principal bacon factories were paying at the rate of 190/- for 14 stone pigs. I have brought in a sample of the dockets I received and I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary that the following firms—O'Mara's, Matterson's, Ballaghaderreen; Lunham's, Clover Meats, Cappoquin; Donnelly's, P.J. Ryan's, Denny's Shaw's, Tralee; Slattery's, Cork Farmers' Union, and the Abattoir—have not paid the price that the Parliamentary Secretary——
Is the Deputy imparting information or asking for it?
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary is he aware that these firms have not paid the price of 190/- for a 14 stone pig. If the Parliamentary Secretary is not so aware he can have these documents, and lots more as well.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will require bacon curers to publish at regular intervals the prices they are offering for bacon pigs.
There is no statutory obligation on bacon curers to publish the prices they are offering for pigs, and it is not proposed to seek powers requiring them to do so.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a difference of some 14/- between the prices that certain bacon curers are paying as compared with certain others and that the price of bacon has been increased to the public by 21/- per cwt.?
I never suggested that there was not a difference. What the Deputy seems to imply is that all bacon curers should pay the top price.