asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that meat purchased for men and N.C.O.s in the various barracks throughout the country is bought by officers for their own domestic use at prices very much below those prevailing for ordinary consumers, and that the officers are permitted to buy the choicest cuts leaving the inferior cuts for the N.C.O.s and men; and, if so, if he will take steps to have this practice stopped.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Meat Rations.
The issue of meat to officers and other ranks for their own use is in accordance with the provisions of Defence Force Regulations Q.7 which permit of the issue of meat on repayment to officers and other ranks serving at the Curragh Training Camp and at Kildare and to the officers' messes in Dublin for consumption in the messes or for reissue therefrom on repayment to members of those messes. The method used in the Army in the dissection of meat differs from that in use by civilian butchers and for that reason cuts of meat issued on repayment usually contain a far larger proportion of suet, fat and bone than would be contained in a joint purchased from a butcher. The price of the meat issued on repayment based on the weight of the cut is comparable with the price charged to ordinary consumers who do not have to pay for the same quantity of suet and bone.
At the Curragh Training Camp there is a system of rotation whereby purchasers in each barrack area are issued with roasting beef and steaks once monthly only. In this way it is ensured that N.C.O.s and men on the ration strength get their fair proportion of the choicer cuts.
I accept the Minister's answer, but would he investigate a little further to see if in fact very little of the choicer cuts are left for the men and N.C.O.s living in barracks. The prices the Minister mentioned are not comparable with those paid to the outside butcher by the ordinary consumer.
Does the Deputy say it is less?
Not much less; the ordinary consumer pays more.
I have told the Deputy that in the Curragh the system is that the N.C.O.s and men get their fair proportion. The mess gets roasting beef and steaks once a month only. The Deputy asked was it not true in all barracks over the country——
In various barracks.
This only applies to barracks in Dublin, Kildare and the Curragh and I am assured by those in charge that a fair distribution is made all the time. It is issued by the N.C.O.s and men themselves to themselves and, believe it or not, they look after each other's interests quite well.
I do not doubt that in the case of the men living out. I am referring to the men living in barracks.
They are in the same category because they are attached to the N.C.O.s and men's messes.