asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the price paid per lb. for dressed beef exported from this country to (a) Britain and (b) the dollar area; and further, if those prices are fixed by agreement when this agreement was made and when it terminated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dressed Beef Prices.
I am sending to the Deputy a copy of the detailed schedule of prices for dressed beef exported to Britain during the year ending next April. These prices were fixed as a result of negotiations with the British Ministry of Food.
The prices received for dressed beef exported to the dollar area are negotiated in the ordinary course of private trade between the Irish exporters and their customers in that area and I am not, therefore, in a position to indicate the prices paid.
Is the Minister in a position to say is there, in fact, any prime beef going to America at all now?
Mr. Walsh
Yes, there is.
Surely the Minister must have some knowledge of the price at which it is being exported?
Mr. Walsh
I have already stated that these prices are negotiated by private exporters.
I am well aware of that but still the Minister is informed of them and surely the shipping returns would show the price and what the value placed on these consignments was, quite apart from the information available in his own Department. Would it not be desirable to make available to the House the respective prices paid for prime beef going to the United States of America and prime beef going to Britain?
Mr. Walsh
I could not give the prices that have been negotiated by private exporters. That is an ordinary matter of business.
Why not give the prices to the House without referring to any particular consignments—the prices in bulk?
Mr. Walsh
It is not the practice to discuss private matters in this House.
Could the Minister indicate what is the relation between prices of live stock and prices in the dressed meat trade?
Mr. Walsh
I have told the Deputy that I am sending him a letter dealing with that question.