asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he has approved or is aware of any system of levies instituted by meat processors in Ireland; and, if so, what are the details of this levy system, how its proceeds are employed, to whom do they belong and inasmuch as ultimately they must be borne by live-stock producers how the producers' interests are protected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Processors' Levy System.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given on 6th December last to a question on the same subject by Deputy Rooney.
As regards the last part of the question, I am satisfied that the interests of live-stock producers are not adversely affected by the arrangement made by the meat exporters to set aside contributions out of their income from exports of meat to North America for use by them for essential purposes connected with the trade. More efficient development of the carcase meat export trade cannot but be beneficial to live-stock producers in the long run.
The exporters of boneless cow beef also contributed to a fund for defraying the cost of the pilot scheme for the eradication of uneconomic cattle in Bansha under arrangements initiated by my predecessor.
Is it conceivable that the Minister for Agriculture has authorised a levy system by the carcase meat industry which has already accumulated approximately £100,000, in addition to the profits, the very substantial profits, which these firms have been making in the trade, for such purposes as the subsequent acquisition by the traders of ships and other profit-earning equipment of that character at the expense of the producers of live stock in this country?
Mr. Walsh
This, as the Deputy knows, is a new industry, and there are several approaches to it from the point of view of making it profitable to the country. This is one approach, and there may be others. One of the approaches is to provide better refrigerator transport facilities for meat and to create a fund to cover losses, if there should be losses. If the shippers are going to suffer a loss by reason of this shipping arrangement, they may go out of business altogether and their going out would mean a loss to the trade.
Is it seriously suggested that the fellows who are building large plants all over the country to deal with refrigerated meat at present are engaged in that occupation out of love for the lovely blue eyes of the Irish farmer, and that therefore they are to be authorised to levy continually on the farmers to provide themselves with factories, ships and insurance against any possible loss and let the blooming farmer who reared and fattened the beast take his chances, foul or fair? Unless Oireachtas Éireann has gone daft altogether——
Mr. Walsh
I am aware that the Deputy has a one-track mind on this matter but there are other approaches which I suggest the Deputy should examine.
You would want a curlicue——
Perhaps Deputy Dillon has a one-track mind on that particular subject but he has company also.
Mr. Walsh
In Deputy Blowick.
Will the Minister inform the House on what authority he has empowered the factory owners to make the levy?
Mr. Walsh
The Deputy should examine the question which was asked before he rises to ask a supplementary on it.
I want to know who gave the Minister authority to do so?
Does the Minister not think that those fellows get enough in £20 or £30 a week?
Mr. Walsh
I did not make the authorisation in connection with the collection of these levies. The exporters did it themselves. It is their own levy they are contributing to this fund.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that the Minister calmly sits back and allows a definite illegality to go unchallenged?
Mr. Walsh
It is not an illegality. The Minister seems to be more interested in the development of this trade than either Deputy Blowick or Deputy Dillon.
There would be a subvention in aid of the Party funds.