asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that large quantities of Dutch bacon are being imported into the Saorstát; that this bacon is being sold and purchased in most cases as Irish; whether, in view of the serious effect on the Irish bacon trade the Minister will take immediate steps to compel retailers to display a notice in their shop windows indicating the fact that this article is exposed for sale, and, whether he will also insist that on the article itself a further notice will be displayed showing the country of origin.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUTCH BACON IN SAORSTÁT.
Investigations made by the Department show that, as a rule, trade descriptions within the meaning of the Merchandise Marks Acts are not applied to imported bacon. There is at present no power to compel retailers or others in the Free State to give any indication of the country of origin of imported bacon. The matter has been receiving attention for some time past, and the Minister for Industry and Commerce is considering the inclusion of provisions dealing with the question in a Bill to amend the Merchandise Marks Acts which is in course of preparation.
Can the Minister say when we shall have this Bill?
Mr. HOGAN
I cannot say.
Would the Minister, in the meantime, introduce a short Bill which would cover this matter? It is really very serious and urgent, and we may have to wait for a couple of years for the Bill from the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
Mr. HOGAN
I do not think it should be assumed by the Deputy that he will have to wait a couple of years for the Bill.
Would the Minister consult with Deputy Baxter with a view to ascertaining whether a tariff on imported bacon might not meet the case?
Mr. HOGAN
I will make that suggestion on a suitable occasion.