asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if filleted plaice is being sold on the retail Dublin market at 50-55p per lb and if Donegal fishermen are being paid 6p per lb for unfilleted fish; if he considers this acceptable practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Prices.
50.
As regards the first part of the question, my Department do not collect retail fish price statistics nor do they collect, except on a monthly basis, statistics of the value of fish landed at fishing ports. I cannot, therefore, comment on the particular prices quoted by the Deputy save to indicate that in any comparison of prices of whole and filleted fish it must be borne in mind that in general filleting reduces the weight by about one half.
As regards the second and third parts of the question, while I would always like to see fishermen obtaining the best possible price for their fish, I have no function whatsoever in relation to the appropriateness or otherwise of retail prices on a free market.
51.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the wholesale price of white sole on the Dublin market is 1p per lb and the ruling price at Billingsgate is 6-11p per lb.
The wholesale price of fish on the Dublin market fluctuates in accordance with the normal rules of supply and demand. For example, on the 11th and 12th May the price of white sole on the Dublin market was reported to have varied between 3½ pence and 10½ pence per lb. It is not for me to comment on prices on particular markets abroad but I can say that there is free access for Irish fish to the British market.
Question No. 52 postponed.