asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that calves are being sold at very depressed prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Calf Prices.
31.
Calf prices have not so far reflected the general recovery in prices for mature cattle, largely due to the current incidence of the peak calving season, a greater tendency by dairy farmers to sell dropped calves and some less readiness to make early purchases among traditional calf rearers whose market was most affected by the problems of the cattle industry during last autumn and winter.
Is the Minister aware that at some marts the bidding for small calves opens at 10p? Many calves do not reach the mart but are killed at home. The Minister has set up a board of inquiry regarding the working of the intervention system but would he be prepared to have a report drawn up which would offer some incentive to people to rear their cattle rather than to sell them at very depressed prices?
The Deputy is making a speech rather than asking a relevant supplementary.
The Minister is well aware of the situation and that is why this review body is sitting to investigate the whole distribution of profits in the industry.
Question No. 32.
All calves will be sold this year for almost nothing if the situation is not changed.
We are having statements.
I hear frequently of calf prices varying from between £3 to £47. It is difficult to understand the disparity.
The Minister is confused. I can tell him of marts where the bidding for calves opens at 10p.
I do not think the Deputy is attending the marts.
(Interruptions.)
What happened last year will happen again this year.
Deputy Meaney will have to find another opportunity of debating this subject.
Is the Minister not aware that the price per calf is nearer to £3 than to £47?
The Deputy is capable of making any sort of statement in the House.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputy O'Leary please obey the Chair? If he persists in behaving in this fashion, I shall have to ask him to leave the House.
Is the Deputy not entitled to ask a supplementary; I endeavoured to ask only one supplementary but it was not allowed. If Deputy Coughlan had been involved, he would have been allowed the question.
That is an unfair allegation.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy O'Leary must either obey the Chair or leave the House.
Is it not the purpose of Question Time to elicit information? The Minister did not reply to Deputy O'Leary's supplementary.
The Chair has no control over that.
The question was an argument more than anything else.
The Deputy asked whether the Minister was aware that the price of calves is nearer £3 than £47 per head?
I am not so aware. That is a fairytale on the part of the Deputy.
The Minister's Parliamentary Secretary will be able to tell him the price of calves in West Cork.
On a point of order, Deputy Callanan was on his feet for a considerable time endeavouring to ask a supplementary and he deserves to be given the courtesy of asking the question.
The Chair tries to be fair to all Deputies.
I am not so sure of that.
Is the Deputy challenging the Chair?