asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the employment of many workers in the meat-processing factories is endangered; and that already a number have been laid off; and whether he proposes to take any action to safeguard this most valuable industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Meat-Processing Factories.
29.
I indicated the position in this matter in reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 5th March, 1964.
Would the Minister not agree that the position is deteriorating again since that reply was given in the House and, in view of that situation, would he say if he has any proposals in mind to safeguard the industry?
There is no evidence of any deterioration, as I explained, in regard to the first two months of 1964. I have now the figures for the three months of 1964 and there is no evidence of the deterioration to which the Deputy refers.
I take it, according to this reply, that the Minister is satisfied that there will be no further lay-off of men in this industry?
I am satisfied that the problem the Deputy is referring to is one with which I cannot deal, even if it should arise.
I do not want to comment on that except to mention the gentleman in Russia who confessed that he was unable to look after his job. Perhaps the Minister would emulate his example? Would the Minister not agree that the solution to this problem lies in the setting up of a proper meat board with the necessary powers to prevent the exploitation both of the farmer and of the consumer?
That is going beyond the subject matter of the original question.
May I ask the Minister would he consider it as a desirable proposition in order to safeguard the industry?
I would not agree.
Would the Minister's objection to this lie in the fact that he has objected to a Butter Marketing Board, to a Bacon Board and to every type of board that could possibly help agriculture and that he was forced ultimately to introduce all these boards in order to help agriculture?
I have sought and received the advice of people who are expert on this subject and in both cases recommendations have been made to me that there should be no interference with the cattle industry.
Did the same type of expert not tell the Minister that it was wrong to set up a Bacon Board or a Butter Marketing Board?
That is not so.
It is, and the Minister said it himself.
In fact, they recommended the very opposite and, on receiving the recommendations in relation to these two Boards, the Government announced their acceptance of the recommendations and the Government also accepted the recommendation in regard to the meat trade, when that recommendation was received, that no interference should take place.
All this is extraneous.