asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that owing to the refusal of the Government to provide tax relief for exporters of day-old chicks the principal exporters, Messrs. Thornbers, have now closed down with a consequent loss of exports of approximately two hundred thousand pounds; and if he will now reconsider the decision on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tax Relief for Day-Old Chick Exporters.
44.
According to the information at my disposal Messrs. Thornbers have not closed down. There have, however, been certain developments in relation to their business which are being dealt with by the Minister for Agriculture in his reply to another question by the Deputy on to-day's Order Paper.
As to the question of providing tax relief for exporters of day-old chicks I have nothing to add to my replies to previous questions by the Deputy on this subject except to repeat that the absence of tax relief should have had no bearing on the recent developments of this firm which are stated to have been effected on the grounds of efficiency and with a view to meeting a bigger demand for day-old chicks.
Is it not a fact that exports from this firm have ceased and is it not also a fact that last year their exports were in the region of £250,000? Further, is it not a fact that they applied for this tax relief and have been refused by the Government and that they stated at the time that they applied that they would not be able to continue in business if they did not get it, mainly because of fowl pest in the North and because they would not be able to compete with other firms?
I am not aware of the particulars of the company's trading at present, but as I stated in reply to the original question, the change was deliberately effected by the company to meet increasing demand for day-old chicks in the country and in order fully to integrate their operation here by concentrating their activities in Lucan, breeding from parent stock in Lucan and distributing throughout the country.
Could the Minister say where he got that information? Did he get it from the firm?
It has been made public.
That is not the information the firm gave me.