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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jul 1962

Vol. 196 No. 19

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Prices.

27.

asked the Minister for Lands what steps he proposes to take to prevent the recurrence in future years of the ridiculously low prices now being paid for salmon.

Having regard to the numbers of salmon being caught I do not accept that the recent prices have been ridiculously low. The prices are, of course, governed in the usual way by supply and demand and I do not propose to intervene.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that 2/- per lb. is a ridiculously low price for salmon?

Not if you are buying it.

In view of the unprecedentedly heavy landings, directly resulting from Government policy, the income of the net fishermen in this year is higher than in any other year of the present century, which is of greater benefit to the fishermen than any other factor.

That is a joke.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any comment to make on the fact that the low prices the fishermen have got have not been passed on to the consumer and would he take some steps in that regard in future?

That question does not arise out of the question by Deputy Harte.

Of course it does. If you are able to bring in the fish you should be able to control the price to the consumer.

This has been the best year in the present century as a result of unprecedentedly heavy landings.

The people should get the benefit.

Was it not a pity that people who never had a chance of tasting salmon until this year were deprived of it because of the prices charged in Dublin? Surely he has some control over that?

That is not the basis of Deputy Harte's question.

When the Parliamentary Secretary says the prices are not ridiculously low does he mean the prices the general public are paying in the shops or the prices being paid to the fishermen?

Which does the Deputy mean?

I am concerned about the income of the net fishermen. In this present year that income is higher than it was in any other year of this century by hundreds per cent.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the income of the Donegal fishermen?

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