asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will permit citizens to send to their relations in Great Britain meat parcels for Christmas, in view of the fact that the price for turkeys is beyond the means of many thousands who are anxious to send a meat and bacon parcel to their sons and daughters earning their living in Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Parcels for Britain.
Mr. Byrne
The position in regard to such parcels is still as was indicated in the reply given to a similar question by the Deputy on 7th April, 1949.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that there are a number of people in Dublin working-class homes who would be anxious to send a small meat parcel to their sons and daughters in Great Britain, but whose purses do not reach to the purchase of a turkey? If they could send £1 worth of meat to their relatives in Great Britain, where they are earning their living, it would be accepted as a great concession.
May I ask the Minister has he considered the possibility of meeting the Deputy's difficulty by sanctioning the issue of a licence for a fowl or a goose, where the applicant is unable to afford the price of a turkey?
I am dealing with the question which was addressed to me by Deputy Byrne. Whatever I may know, or whatever the Deputy may know, about the concern of individuals to send parcels to their friends in England, I was merely drawing his attention to the reply which was given to him in 1949. It was as follows:—
"Experience has shown that there have been grave abuses in connection with the sending of parcels of meat to Great Britain. I do not, therefor, propose to alter the existing prohibition in this respect, because it is administratively impossible to prevent the recurrence of these abuses."
Was there not, subsequent to that, an arrangement whereby, in suitable circumstances, persons were given a licence to export a fowl or a goose where it appeared that their circumstances would not permit them to purchase a turkey?
I have not been asked to vet that arrangement, but I may say that I thought very little about it at the time.
The Minister does not propose to make the concession?
I was not even asked.
There is no need to get cross.
I am not getting cross.
I am asking, would the Minister consider that to meet Deputy Byrne?
I will consider it when I am asked to consider it.
I am asking you to consider it.
I wish to protest against the manner in which questions are being answered. Deputy Byrne put down a question and was referred to an answer he got two years ago. The answer that I got to Question No. 5 to-day was that, if I read the answer Deputy Lehane got to a question last March, I would get the information for my question.
These questions have been answered in the fashion that has been customary down the years. Of course, Deputy Rooney has not had that experience to know.
The Chair has no function in the matter except to see that questions are answered in accordance with the Rules of Order.
Does not the Minister for Local Government accept the position that he is merely adopting this device in order to conceal the fact that he proposes to do nothing in the matter?
We cannot go into that now.
Mr. Byrne
I am asking the Minister will he allow a goose or something not exceding £1 to go?
(Interruptions.)
This is a matter that affects poor people.
Mr. Byrne
With the permission of the Chair, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.