asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what steps he proposes to take to increase the number of pigs available to enable the bacon factory in Limerick to resume full production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Bacon Factory.
4.
As the Deputy is aware, there are already guaranteed minimum prices for good quality pigs. As further measures to encourage pig production, a scheme of headage grants for farrowed sows and an increase in the rates of piggery grants for small farmers under the Farm Buildings Scheme have been in operation since last autumn.
Is the Minister aware that the bounty given on sows has no effect on pig production as far as the bacon industry is concerned, that what matters in this case is a standardised ration at a subsidised price? As compared with the price in Britain, it is between £6 and £8 per ton dearer on the Irish farmer and so he is not encouraged to rear and produce pigs for slaughter in our bacon factories. What does the Minister propose to do about it?
I do not disagree with the Deputy about the desirability and the effect of standardised rations and subsidised prices in regard to pig production. If we do not have the sows, we cannot have the pigs. This scheme——
Is the Minister trying to tell me which came first—the hen or the egg?
The little fellow here comes before the big fellow.
The Minister is all wrong.
Why is it that there has been a fall of 188,000 pigs for slaughter up to January, 1967? The Minister says the subsidy for the sow will improve matters. Is the Minister aware that, on 26th March, 1966, the inevitability of our present position was pointed out to him unless suitable action was taken by him and that neither he nor his Department took any action to save the bacon industry? In Limerick, we are now faced with the closing-down of one bacon factory and others to follow.
The Deputy has mentioned the price of pig ration and that of pig rations in the Six Counties and in Britain.
I did not say "Six Counties": I said "Britain".
I say "Six Counties" now.
There is a difference there, too.
Despite the cheaper ration in Britain, they also, for some inexplicable reason, show a downward trend in their numbers at the same time as we do here. What the Deputy says does not seem to be the only cause and factor in this matter.
The ratio between the downward fall in England and Ireland bears no comparison. The Minister will recollect the warning he got in March, 1966, that this industry was in a chaotic condition and was threatened with a close-down. He certainly went out of his way to deceive the people of Ireland and the people engaged in this industry.
The Deputy is asking five or six questions. I cannot allow this to continue.
The Deputy is deceiving the House if he alleges the downward trend in pigs to be the only cause of the difficulties of the bacon factory in Limerick.
The Minister stressed this matter very much in May, 1966 and I now want to ask him what discussions have taken place between the Pigs and Bacon Commission, Bord Gráin and the curers to allow free import of grain and ration at a subsidised price which will make it economic for the farmers to produce pigs which is not being done today.
You did not ask that question.
I demand an answer to those questions. What discussions have taken place between the Pigs and Bacon Commission, Bord Gráin and the curers with regard to the subsidised ration?
You did not ask that question.
Question No. 5.
I asked a question with regard to the subsidised ration and I demand an answer to that question.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Question No. 5.
Am I going to get an answer to these questions from the Minister who has deliberately deceived the House? I insist on an answer.
Put down the question and you will get an answer.
I want an answer to my question. There are 120 men whose employment is depending on this matter.
The Deputy will resume his seat.
The Deputy wants an answer to his question.
Deputy Coughlan will please resume his seat.
Deputy Coughlan insists on an answer to his question which is of vital importance to the bacon industry.
Will the Deputy resume his seat?
I will resume my seat when I get a satisfactory answer to my question.
I have asked the Deputy to resume his seat.
I am entitled to an answer.
I will have to name the Deputy to the House if he does not resume his seat.
We have had enough politics played in this House. Now we will have facts. I want an answer to my question.
I regret I am forced to name Deputy Coughlan for disobedience to the ruling of the Chair.