asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that practically all rabbits are now exported in the fur, and that this has resulted in some thousands of skilled workers in this trade losing employment and being forced to emigrate; and whether he is prepared to introduce proposals to compel all exporters to skin the rabbits here and consequently keep more workers in employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Rabbits.
Mr. Alfred Byrne
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the export of rabbits unskinned has resulted in a loss of employment to over 500 workers in Dublin; if he will ensure that, if the export of rabbits is to continue the maximum amount of employment will be given.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. I am aware that, as compared with last season, there has been a marked decline in the exports of skinned rabbits and in the number of persons engaged in skinning, owing to the fact that the price of pelts has fallen so low that skinning is not at present an economic proposition. In the circumstances I am not prepared to introduce measures with a view to ensuring that rabbits will be skinned prior to export.
Mr. Byrne
In Dublin City alone one firm engaged in the business employed 500 people. Is that not worth while— the employment of 500 people in Dublin City South?
I am aware there is reduced employment.
Mr. Byrne
You make it appear as if that employment is not worth while. I say that in Dublin City alone 500 people have lost their employment as a result of rabbits being exported in the fur instead of being skinned here. Will the Minister look after the interests of these 500 people?
If the sale of the skins is not sufficient to cover the cost of skinning the rabbits, what can I do?
Mr. Byrne
I say that there is a market at home and this work should be given to the people here. Will the Minister make inquiries to see if the statement I make here is accurate?
The Deputy's statement may be accurate, but I am advised that it does not pay now to skin rabbits.
Mr. Byrne
Is it not worth while to give 500 people employment skinning the rabbits?
They will have to do something else.
Mr. Byrne
Does the Minister not think it worth his while to look after the interests of 500 people living not more than half a mile from this House? They are unemployed as a result of the Minister's action.
What has happened that makes it uneconomic now to skin rabbits, whereas it was an economic proposition before?
Last year it paid to take the skins off because they were worth 4d. or 5d. each.
Over 1/- each.
Right, 1/- each. This year they are worth only 1d. or 1½d. each. It pays the exporters better to leave the skins on.
Why?
Because there is no market for them, no demand.
Is there not an export market?
There is, at a very low price. It pays the exporter better to sell the rabbit with the skin on. If he takes off the skin here, the rabbit is worth 4d. or 5d. less. My object, as Minister for Agriculture, is to get rid of the rabbits.
The remaining questions will be repeated on to-morrow's Order Paper.