asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why the market price of grilse has been omitted from the list of fish prices quoted by Radio Éireann each morning.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Grilse.
The Radio Éireann correspondent in the fish market has not been supplying the price of grilse recently. I understand a question arose as to whether a price supplied to the correspondent on a recent occasion was the correct price for this fish and that the merchants then decided to suspend supplying the price. The Director of Broadcasting is making inquiries into the matter.
Is the Minister aware that a false price was suggested to Radio Éireann by one of two merchants in order to secure the monopoly of the market for this fish? Furthermore, as these published prices are supposed to safeguard the producer and the consumer, the fishermen are complaining that because of the absence of a price in this case they are getting very low prices and they have very large catches? We are paying salmon prices for grilse.
It is obviously desirable and essential that if prices are to be given they must be the correct prices. The position is being considered at the moment by the director of Radio Éireann. The matter is still sub judice and an investigation is taking place. I will give the Deputy more information when the matter is cleared up.