asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that on page 119 of the Government's book Agriculture in the Second Programme for Economic Expansion it is stated that there should be scope for expansion in home demand for poultry; and if he will state (a) the percentage increase in the output of broilers which took place between 1963 and 1964, (b) whether in view of the price of red meat any further increase in output of Irish broiler chickens is likely between 1964 and 1970, and (c) if so, what percentage increase in output between 1964 and 1970 is regarded by his Department as likely to materialise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broiler Industry.
18.
Data collected by my Department indicate that the output of broilers rose by about 40 per cent from 1963 to 1964, the increased output being absorbed by the home market. It seems likely that by 1970 the output of broilers will have increased substantially above the 1964 level, but by what percentage will depend on factors which it would be difficult to assess at this stage.