asked the Minister for Agriculture if in view of the recent increase in the British tariff on certain classes of poultry he will increase the bounty on such classes of poultry to offset the loss caused by such increase in the British tariff.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bounty on Poultry.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me yesterday to a similar question by Deputy Corish to which at present I have nothing to add.
Is the Minister not aware that geese were sold at 3d. per lb. before this extra tariff was put on? The result now is that the people are getting nothing for them. Chickens were selling at 5d. per lb. and the imposition of this tariff means that they will get only 2d. per lb. I would ask the Minister to help the people out in some way.
Is the Minister aware that a poultry merchant in Longford sent four dozen geese to the British market which he had purchased for 2/6 each and that he got a bill for 3/6?
Dr. Ryan
I am not aware of any of these ridiculous things.
And that seven men have been disemployed as a result?
It is time the Minister made himself aware of them.
Dr. Ryan
I will look for my information in some other place.
Do I understand the Minister to say that he was not aware of some ridiculous things? I did not catch what he said. I will prove it to the Minister by producing documents in connection with the case. If it is ridiculous to the Minister, it is not ridiculous to the persons who suffered loss.