asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there has been a continuous rise in the price of meat; and, if so, if he will state what proposals, if any, are being made to retain for home consumption sufficient meat at a reasonable price to the consumers, without causing loss to those in the retail meat-selling trade who state that they can no longer continue in the business unless the Government buy in the markets and distribute to the victuallers supplies at a wholesale price that will enable them to sell meat to the consumers at a fair price without loss to themselves; and, further, if he will state if it is proposed to subsidise the meat traders or the tanneries, or both.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Meat.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that, between mid-February and mid-May of this year, there were increases in the prices of fresh beef and mutton. The question of the prices of fresh beef and mutton and the other matters referred to by the Deputy are under examination.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware (a) that his Department was informed in April of this year of the fact that prices were being charged markedly in excess of those fixed by the State for the retail sale of beef and requested to indicate what remedy was open to the housewife when overcharged, and (b) that the Department's reply seemed to indicate that an intended change of law excused open breach of that law; and, if so, if he will state what steps he intends to take to deal with open defiance of the law in this matter and for the protection of the housewife against overcharging.
I am aware that a complaint of the nature referred to by the Deputy in the first part of his question was received by the Department in April and that a reply was issued to the effect that the question of the revision of fresh meat prices was under consideration and that it had not yet been possible to reach a decision in the matter.
I am having the whole position regarding fresh meat prices examined.