asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the serious situation of the egg trade in the west of Ireland; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Egg Trade.
17.
There has been a reduction in the number of laying fowl kept by producers in the west of Ireland due primarily to the decline in remunerative export markets for eggs and the growing trend towards largescale intensive egg production for the home market in the east of the country.
Egg producers in the west wishing to expand their scale of operation can get grants from my Department for largescale poultry housing.
Is the Minister aware that egg producers in the west of Ireland, small farmers' wives, have got four to five shillings a score for their eggs, whereas here in Dublin the price is 6/- to 7/- a dozen? Can the Minister for Agriculture give any answer for that?
The answer would obviously be that the eggs are not where the demand is.
Surely this is a ridiculous situation? We hear about keeping people in the west of Ireland but here is an instance where people are getting four to five shillings a score for their eggs as against six to seven shillings a dozen in Dublin. Surely this is a problem the Minister should look into?
Surely this is a problem the people themselves should look into if there is such a difference as the Deputy has said? I do not believe the difference is as big as four to five shillings a score as against seven shillings a dozen. I know there is a substantial difference; and what makes me wonder is that those who see this difference do not bend their energies towards earning the difference by transferring the eggs from where they are to where they are needed.
As the Minister is well aware, a special licence is required in order to sell these eggs in Dublin.
I do not think it is for want of licences. If the Deputy can solve this problem by getting licences from me I can gladly accommodate him.