asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is a fact that Erin Foods are restricted to supply only a small percentage of the home market; and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erin Foods: Market Restriction.
17.
I would refer the Deputy to the answers given by me to questions on this subject on 9th and 17th May, 1961, 22nd November, 1961, and 24th October, 1963.
Is it a fact that there has been no change in Government policy since those questions were put down ?
That is so.
Does the Minister not think, at a time when the Government and everybody else subscribe to the principle that we must buy Irish, that it is wrong to have a situation in which an Irish company, built on Irish money and using Irish products is prevented from selling in the home market while preference is given to companies importing a large proportion of their raw materials from abroad? Does the Minister not consider it is time to allow the Irish company access to the home market?
The Irish company is Erin Foods Ltd. and when that company was set up, it was established exclusively for the purpose of processing Irish foodstuffs and selling them on export markets. At that time they were permitted to sell up to 10 per cent on the home market and that arrangement was quite acceptable to the Irish Sugar Company, which was the parent company. The other companies are privately-owned companies established to a large extent with Irish money and using almost exclusively Irish-manufactured goods. There is no question of a preference for foreign interests as gainst Irish interests.
Is it not a fact that the Irish Sugar Company and Erin Foods Ltd. are not allowed complete access to the home market and that companies which import a large amount of their raw material from European countries are permitted access? Will the Minister see that Irish companies producing Irish goods will get what they are entitled to ?
There are certain areas within this industry in which Erin Foods have free access to the home market. I should like to suggest to the Deputy that a number of adaptation councils have been set up for the food processing industry and that if there are any difficulties, they will be taken care of by the participation of all concerned in these councils.
Hear, hear. I hope that will be done in the near future.