asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of the period September, 1954, to January, 1957, inclusive, the total amount of the increase obtained by Irish flour millers as a result of the increase in the price of home-produced wheat offals to that of imported offals; if he is aware that this penal imposition on pig producers had, and continues to have a very grave effect on the production of pigs and bacon, and, if so, if he is prepared to have the price of offals reduced immediately so as to increase production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Offals.
In the period from 1st September, 1954, to 31st January, 1957, 219,870 tons of offals were produced in the flour mills in Ireland. The prices at which offals were sold during that period varied from time to time with the changes in world prices but, over the whole period, the total receipts from offal sales came to £5,488,000, approximately. Had the average price remained at the level prevailing in August, 1954, viz., £20 a ton, receipts from offal sales would have come to £4,397,000 approximately. The difference between these two figures will, I hope, give the Deputy the information he seeks in the first part of his question. I should point out, however, that no additional profits accrue to the millers from the increased price of their sales of offals, as the profits of the industry are controlled.
The price charged for home-produced offals is determined by the world price, and they will continue to be available to pig producers at approximately the same price as imported offals.
Is the Minister aware that the figures given to me in this House previously on this matter showed that the money was received by the State? It took the shape of a penal tax on offals produced in this country. The amount for the three years should be something over £1,000,000. Even he himself publicly expressed his disapproval of that matter in this House on the 10th November last on a motion of disapproval of his predecessor's action.
Offals have been and will continue to be available to consumers in this country at the same price at which they can be imported.
Does the Minister mean that the Irish pig feeder is to be charged an increased price on 423,000 tons of offals because 33,000 tons of foreign offals have been imported into this country?
Do I understand from the Minister's replies that it is proposed in future to vary the price of Irish offals in accordance with the imported price, which has been the practice not merely from 1954 to date but prior to that, too?
Offals are not sold at any controlled price but at whatever price they will fetch. The importation of offals is not controlled either. Therefore, the price at which offals can be imported determines the price for home-produced offals. The intention is that, in future, offals produced in Irish flour mills will be available to pig producers here at the same price at which offals can be imported.
Although you all voted for a motion having a contrary purpose a short time ago.
The effect of the increase in offal prices which occurred in the past three or four years was to reduce the cost of the flour subsidy.
Let them fight it out with Deputy Corry now.
That is now my privilege.