asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that foreign bacon is being sold in the Free State as Irish bacon; and whether he purposes to introduce proposals for legislation to deal with this abuse; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Bacon Sold as Irish Bacon.
My Department has not been informed of any specific instance of the sale of foreign bacon as Irish, but has received complaints to that effect in general terms from time to time. A Merchandise Marks Bill, which I hope to have read a first time before the Dáil rises, will enable regulations to be made requiring imported bacon, when sold or exposed for sale in An Saorstát, to bear an indication of the country of origin.
Is the Minister aware, according to the evidence given before the Food Prices Commission, and also the evidence given before the Tribunal on Prices, that it was stated by responsible witnesses that large quantities of foreign bacon were imported into the Saorstát, where they went through an additional process of smoking, and then were branded and put on the market as Dublin mild cured—is the Minister aware that that evidence was given?
I read the Report.
And having read the Report the Minister, in his reply, states that he had no specific complaint or no specific instance of foreign bacon being sold as Irish?
Yes.
Is not that a general complaint?
I have said that I had no specific complaint. I have heard general complaints.
Will the Minister not act on a general complaint?
I never like general complaints. I would like to have them specific.