asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a report on the cattle market in Dublin on 5th February, 1947, in which it was stated that there was a sharp demand for a light supply of cattle and sheep, and that the prices paid reached the highest level for years; and if he will see that the Dublin retailers of meat have not to compete on the market for the available supplies with buyers with orders to fulfil quotas for Government contractors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Cattle Market Prices.
I am aware that owing to brisk demand the prices of cattle and sheep in the Dublin market have improved in recent weeks. The Deputy realises, of course, that the Dublin market is an open market at which there is competitive buying which helps to keep prices up to the level required to encourage production. I do not consider that, even if I had the authority to do so, I should intervene in any way to eliminate competition with the object of depressing prices to producers.
Would the Minister not consider it desirable to see that on the home market Dublin consumers will get an opportunity of getting meat at a fair price and that Dublin butchers and milk providers will not have to compete with buyers who have Government cheque books to assist them against Dublin purchasers? I want to ask the Minister will he not give some guarantee to home consumers that money from other lands or from the Exchequer here will not be utilised to deprive them of reasonable supplies.
The home producer of cattle is not getting any more than a fair price.
In view of the Minister's unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that, with your consent, Sir, I shall raise the matter on the adjournment of the House to-night. There is a scarcity of milk in Dublin——
The Deputy is raising it now apparently.
May I inquire from the Minister, in view of the fact that we are already quite unable to deliver to Great Britain, who has been our customer for meat for generations, anything like what she requires, is it not time that we asked ourselves, how far we are justified in sending meat to various other countries at the expense of the British consumer——
That is a separate question.
——instead of first supplying Britain and let Britain send it if they can spare it?
That is a separate question.
No, Sir.
I judge it to be so.
The question is concerned with the subject-matter of Deputy Byrne's question.
Possibly, relatively.
It seems to be a very strange gesture.
Have you, Sir, accepted my notice?
The trouble is that notice has been given previously by other Deputies to raise other matters.
I gave notice that I would raise the subject-matter of Question No. 28 on Tuesday.
Addressed to what Minister?
To the Minister for Finance.
Mr. Boland
Unfortunately, he will not be here this evening.
Will there be any deputy for him?
Mr. Boland
I do not think so.
On that issue, would it not be possible for Ministers to remain in this House when they are required by Deputies?
Quite, but in case of a family bereavement or absence on public business, would the Deputy expect a Minister here?
I am sorry to hear of such a bereavement.
The Deputy might have made inquiries before raising the attendance of a Minister.
It is no harm to express one's sympathy.
Was that the Deputy's intention in raising the matter?