asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the suitability of Bandon, County Cork, as a centre for a bacon curing factory; and whether he is prepared to issue the necessary licence to a company for the establishment of such a factory there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bandon Bacon Factory.
Proposals for the establishment of a bacon factory in the Bandon area have been put before my Department on various occasions over the years. It has been made clear that the necessary operating licence would be forthcoming on the provision by the promoters concerned of satisfactory premises and facilities for the operation of the business.
I should, perhaps, point out that, taking the country as a whole, the present capacity of pig slaughtering premises has been adequate for the numbers hitherto available and likely to be available in the foreseeable future. This aspect of the matter would need to be carefully considered by any interests contemplating the establishment of a new bacon factory.
In view of the fact that a company has been registered in the town of Bandon for some years, having gone to the expense of securing premises which were inspected by the inspectors of the Minister's Department—the information is on the files in the Minister's office—would the
Minister again inquire into the matter? These people are prepared to go on with the scheme, if they get a little co-operation from the Department.
The point is that many proposals have been made to establish bacon factories in that area by various people. I looked up the history of this. Nobody has been refused a licence if he has a suitable premises and fulfils all the conditions. I would like, however, to warn the Deputy that if anybody is thinking of entering into this business now, the capacity for killing pigs and curing bacon is already more than adequate to deal with all the pigs available.
I appreciate nobody has been refused a licence. The difficulty in which these people find themselves is that they have not had any approach from either the Minister or the Department assuring them that, having spent their money on erecting such a factory, they will then get the licence.
This goes back to 1934 when it first started. The people concerned then were told that if they wanted to engage in the business and if they erected a suitable premises, they would get a licence. The fact is that they have never gone on with it and I am just giving them a little bit of advice now: they would want to think very carefully over the matter before they engage in this business.
Is it not a fact that, having given that advice, it still remains true, that if anybody provides a factory which conforms with the minimum requirements of the Department of Agriculture and applies for a licence, he will get it?
That is what I have said.
Is the Minister further aware that there has been a reduction of 22 per cent. in the number of pigs since 1954?
Nonsense! There are more pigs going across the Border to-day than ever went across it before.
Is the Minister further aware that, because of the possibility of a licence being given to people in an adjoining area, the people in Bandon have never got any sign of a green light from the Department in relation to a licence in their case?
I have already dealt with that point.