asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his Department intend to make a detailed appraisal of the meat exporting industry in the near future with a view to developing a more effective and successful meat export programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Export Programme.
45.
The situation in the meat industry is being kept under constant review by my Department in consultation with the Irish Fresh Meat Exporters' Society. As announced on 7th March the Government have approved of the making available of a loan of up to £750,000 to the carcase beef export industry to enable the meat factories to secure a better turnover of cattle supplies in the present circumstances of the trade.
Despite this assurance, is the Minister aware the workers in the meat factory in Laois are still on a three-day week?
I am so aware.
Will he indicate what kind of assurance will be given to the workers in the light of the loan being made available?
The Deputy can be assured——
Just assure the workers.
The Deputy can be assured that no feasible method will be neglected by the Department.
Will the Minister state how long this three-day week will continue?
It is a matter between the factory management and the workers.
The loan is coming from the Department and is there not an obligation on the Minister——
The actual allocation of the loan is a matter to be worked out between the Department and the Fresh Meat Exporters' Society.
How soon will the money be made available?
I am not yet aware that the firm have applied for a loan at all.
Would the Minister not think it unusual that the workers should be on a three-day week at a time when a loan is available?
This is a matter between the management and the workers.
How soon can this money be given?
If an application is made by the firm, or by any other firm, it will be considered immediately.
Would the Minister express an opinion on the desirability of exporting all our beef under a brand name rather than exporting it from individual factories?
Possibly it would be a desirable development. Since the Deputy asked me to express an opinion, I should like to see Irish meat going out described as Irish meat.
It would be desirable from the point of view of control and advertising.