asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give an indication to turkey producers of the price which they may expect for their birds this season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Turkeys.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the steps he proposes to take to secure a remunerative price for producers of turkeys this Christmas.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
As the Dáil was informed on the 23rd October, the prices that producers may receive for turkeys in the Christmas season will be decided mainly by the prices obtainable on the British market, which takes the bulk of our turkeys. Turkey numbers in this country are officially estimated to be approximately 16 per cent. less than in 1956, and it is understood that there has been a small decrease in the total number of turkeys produced in Great Britain and the Six Counties this year, as compared with 1956.
Particulars of the day-to-day prices being paid at our local markets and the prices being paid for Irish turkeys at the principal centres in Britain are given in reports which are being issued daily by my Department through the Press and radio. Those reports also give details of the market conditions prevailing.
Might I inquire from the acting Minister can he have recourse to none of the devices which he claimed to be available to me 12 months ago in order to remedy the situation at present obtaining?
They are 150 per cent. higher now.
The prices are about twice what they were this time last year.
Does the Minister really believe that?
Yes. The Deputy can see it in the papers.
Perhaps the Minister would tell us what he thinks the prices are?
The prices were announced in the Press and on the radio on the 26th November. The prices at local Irish markets, the live-rate prices at country markets are reported as being generally at 2/8 to 2/10 per lb. for first quality hens and 2/3 to 2/4 for first quality cocks. Dead-weight prices being paid in Dublin are about 3/1 to 3/3 per lb. for hens and 2/7 to 2/9 for cocks of first quality, equal to live-weight prices of about 2/7 to 2/9 for hens and 2/1 to 2/3 for cocks.
Does the Minister say there is no special price for the white ones?
I think there is.