asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that all butchers are inundated with stocks of hides and skins of all kinds as the registered hide and skin buyers refuse to handle them on the plea that there is no market for them; and, if so, if he is prepared to lift the export ban on all classes of wool skins, pelts and hides.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hides and Skins.
My information is that serious unemployment is threatened at some Irish tanneries because of a falling off in the supplies of native hides and pelts. I cannot, therefore, accept that the position is as indicated in the first part of the question.
I do not propose to lift the export ban on wool skins, pelts and hides.