asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of jobs lost to the country as a result of the amount of foodstuffs imported over the past year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foodstuffs Imports.
9.
It is not possible to quantify in so far as my Department are concerned the number of jobs, if any, lost as a result of the import of foodstuffs.
I am sorry that Question No. 10 was not taken before this one.
Has the Deputy a question?
I am very disappointed to hear the Minister say he has not got that information available. It should be available in the Department of Agriculture because this is something that is relevant as far as the development of our economy is concerned——
Please, Deputy, ask a question.
I would need the answer to Question No. 10 before I could ask a question now.
We are confused enough without starting that kind of thing.
Does the Minister believe that a number of jobs have been lost because of the enormous amount of food which is being imported and will he make a statement on the matter now?
I cannot categorically say whether jobs have been lost because it is very difficult to quantify this kind of thing. For example, the total imports in 1982 amounted to about £15 million, of which £11 million came from Northern Ireland. The value of fully processed pigmeat products was about £3.3 million. However, that import figure must be set against the value of exports which amounted to £73 million in 1982.
10.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the value of foodstuffs imported last year that could have been produced here.
Of the total annual imports of foodstuffs of about £750 million it is estimated that some £150 million to £200 million could have been produced here.
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the amount we can produce at home will be produced?
At present my colleague, Deputy Hegarty, who has responsibility for this area, is very deeply involved in all matters relating to food imports. A monitoring committee on food imports was set up by the Minister a few months ago and they are engaged in ascertaining what kind of products could be produced here which would eliminate or be a substitute for imports.
(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that the proposed closure of the Tuam sugar factory will aggravate that situation and would he make a statement on the matter?
There is a question down about that later on.
Could the Minister say when a marketing body will be set up to ensure that more vegetables are grown here to prevent imports and also to ensure that there is proper marketing and improved standards?
As I have already pointed out, a monitoring committee on food imports has been set up by the Minister and there is also great activity in some of the organisations such as the IFA who, I understand, are deeply involved in mobilising the vegetable processing industry. I am sure there will be substantial results in the near future.
Would the Minister undertake a programme whereby the marketing and presentation of processed foods could be improved visually as far as the customer is concerned?
Obviously this would form a very important part of whatever revision or in-depth study is carried out because we are all aware that marketing and presentation of products are very important and must be taken into account.
The Minister gave a figure of £750 million. Could he give us a breakdown of this figure?
I am sorry, I have not got them to hand but I do not know if there would be a breakdown as it is obviously an estimated figure.
Would the Minister involve manufacturers in the food processing industry and also those currently engaged in the importation of foreign processed foods in the discussion at this stage in order to solve the problem?
I will have the matter looked into and report to the Deputy.
(Limerick West): When I asked a question about the closure of the Tuam sugar factory you suggested I was anticipating it. What is the position, please.
There are questions on Thursday's Order Paper about the Tuam factory.
(Limerick West): I hope the Minister will be here.
I wonder do Deputies ever read the Official Report and the carry-on at Question Time because I am sure they could not be impressed by it. It is an abuse of what Question Time is intended for.
Could the Minister give a breakdown of where the imports came from?
I do not have that information.
Could the Minister say what percentage of food products available in our shops and supermarkets are imported and how many companies are involved?
That is obviously the kind of question a Minister could not be expected to anticipate. He would need a fleet of civil servants with him to provide that information.
It is in our interests to know where these imports are coming from.
The Minister said in his reply to me that he merely had an estimate of the total amount of imports. Is the Minister saying there is no mechanism in his Department to monitor the exact amount and the various headings under which these imports are coming in?
As far as I am aware, over the years there has not been any mechanism for this but I understand that the monitoring committee which have been set up will be looking into this aspect. I acknowledge that it is very important and I assure the House that the Government are very concerned about food imports and are making every effort to ensure that we substitute home products as far as possible.
What does the Minister mean by every effort that the present Government are making?
(Limerick West): They are closing the food processing factories.
That is a childish attitude to adopt. Question No. 11.
(Interruptions.)
This is like a kindergarten school.